DEFENCE

Armed Forces (Recruitment)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from Coventry, South were recruited into the armed forces in the last period for which figures are available.

Don Touhig: Information is not held in the form requested. The number of personnel recruited into the armed forces as other ranks from applications registered by Coventry armed forces careers office during financial year 2004–05 was 214. Broken down by service the numbers recruited were:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Naval Service 31 
			 Army 150 
			 RAF 33 
		
	
	Information on officer recruits is not available on a regional basis.

Army Recruitment Campaign

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of the latest promotional campaign to encourage people to join the Army, separately identifying the cost of (a) DVDs, (b) VHS tapes and (c) television advertising; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Army Recruiting Group is responsible for marketing recruitment for the Regular Army, the Territorial Army, Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, and the Army Cadet Force and it runs a number of campaigns throughout the year. For this financial year, the total TV advertising budget to encourage potential officers and soldiers into the Regular and Territorial Army is £14.1 million. In addition, the budgeted cost of fulfilling individual requests for information as a result of this advertising is £1.274 million, which includes £474,000 for the cost of materials such as DVDs, videos and publications.

Belgrano

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what circumstances have led to the proposed publication of the Government files on the sinking of the Belgrano in 1982.

John Reid: There are no current plans to release the Government files on the sinking of the Belgrano in 1982.

Civil Servants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what value for money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in his Department in 2004–05.

Adam Ingram: HM Treasury's Public Service Agreement 2002 target to deliver £3 billion of value for money gains in central civil Government through the Office of Government Commerce does not include procurement by the Ministry of Defence.
	In Budget 2005 the Chancellor announced a headcount reduction of 12,500 posts by the end of 2004–05, towards the Government's target of a gross reduction of 84,000 civil service posts, including military posts in administrative and support functions. On the Office for National Statistics definition of a civil servant and on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis, the number of civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence fell by 790. In addition, the number of local employed civilians overseas (excluding those employed in operational areas) fell by 420 FTE, giving a total civilian contribution of 1,210 FTE towards the Government's target.

Computer Facilities

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what computer facilities are provided within individual battalions for (a) officers and (b) non-commissioned officers to perform their duties.

Don Touhig: Every Army unit has access to computers and officers and non-commissioned officers have access to such facilities where their role requires it. The Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) programme is currently being introduced and will further enhance capability and accessibility of computer systems by early 2007.

Defence Training Review

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department was not permitted to make an in-house bid for the Defence Training Review.

Don Touhig: holding answer 15 June 2005
	The Ministry of Defence's contracting strategy for the Defence Training Review rationalisation programme, which has been developed with the MOD Private Finance Unit and the Treasury, has confirmed the suitability and probity of PFI/PPP as the procurement route.
	This strategy includes a public sector comparator which has been developed on the basis of how the Department would proceed if the PFI/PPP was not available. While it has the associated detail of an in-house bid, the capital investment required means that it is unlikely to be practical or affordable as a delivery option, particularly as it would not provide the flexibility, performance discipline and risk transfer envisaged by the partnering option.

Disabled Access

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all buildings occupied by his Department in the Greater London area are fully accessible by disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The majority of MOD occupied buildings in central London are fully accessible by disabled people. Elsewhere within the Greater London area a lesser proportion of buildings have such access.
	Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 there are two aspects to consider in respect of access to premises for disabled people: one as an employer and the second as a service provider. As an employer it is MOD policy, in accordance with Part II of the DDA, to make adjustments where any arrangement or physical feature of MOD occupied premises places a disabled employee at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled employee, if it is reasonable to take such steps taking into account all the circumstances of the case. MOD policy also complies with Part III of the DDA where it considered itself to be a service provider, and reasonable adjustments have been made where it was considered necessary in relation to the physical features of MOD occupied premises to overcome physical barriers to access by members of the public.

EU Defence Co-operation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government will be contributing to the (a) production of the EU Force Catalogue and (b) subsequent production of the Progress Catalogue.

John Reid: The Government will be contributing to both.

EU Defence Co-operation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dates of each EU Battlegroup Generation Conference in the last two years were; who attended each conference; what dates are planned for further such conferences; and who is expected to attend.

John Reid: The first EU Battlegroup Generation Conference took place on 11 May this year. The next (re-titled 'EU Battlegroup Coordination Conference') will take place in November this year on a day as yet undetermined. We expect one such conference to take place every six months.
	The first conference was attended by representatives from all 25 EU member states, Bulgaria and Romania as accession states, and Norway as a third- country participant in the Battlegroups initiative. We expect future conferences to be attended by all member states, accession states, and third-country participants. The United Kingdom was and will be represented by a small team of Ministry of Defence officials.

EU Defence Co-operation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which UK representatives attended the International Military Co-operation conference on 11and 12 October 2004 in Wassenaar; and whether the Government agreed to work through any project groups to improve European military capabilities.

John Reid: A small team of officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office attended the conference, at which the Government did not enter into any agreement.
	In 2003 EU member states decided unanimously to create European Capabilities Action Plan Project Groups to address recognised shortfalls in European military capabilities in relation to the overarching Headline Goal capability improvement process.
	The United Kingdom sends a representative to 11 of the 14 groups. We will review representation as changes to these groups are implemented following a May 2005 evaluation report by the European Defence Agency.

EU Defence Co-operation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what commitment the Government made at the EU Military Capability Conference on 22 November 2004 in Brussels; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: The Government committed to providing as EU Battlegroups one national Battlegroup and one joint Battlegroup with the Netherlands (based on long-standing co-operation in the UK/Netherlands Amphibious Force). The national Battlegroup would be on standby for the first six months of the Initial Operational Capability period (January-June 2005); the joint Battlegroup would become available from 2007 for the Full Operational Capability period.
	Our current commitment is that one of these Battlegroups will be on standby in the second half of 2008 and the other in the first half of 2010. The UK contributions will be drawn from our Joint Rapid Reaction Force as appropriate at the time.
	Together with other EU Defence Ministers, the Government also agreed a declaration on European military capabilities which has been made available in the Library of the House as part of the presidency report on European Security and Defence Policy given by the July-December 2004 presidency of the Netherlands.

EU Defence Co-operation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government have given a commitment (a) to support and (b) to join the establishment of a European Gendarmerie Force.

John Reid: The European Gendarmerie Force is a multilateral initiative by France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal to create between them a joint paramilitary police force which could be made available to EU, NATO, UN or OSCE operations.
	In September 2004 the participating countries signed a five-nation Declaration of Intent and briefed others on the initiative. My predecessor welcomed it as a cooperative attempt to improve European capabilities, not least by making gendarmerie-style forces more rapidly available for such multinational operations.
	Since the United Kingdom does not have paramilitary police, the question of participating in the initiative does not apply.

Falkland Islands

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

Don Touhig: Earlier this year my predecessor met the Chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 to discuss plans for the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict in 2007. It was agreed that their organisation and the MOD should collaborate on a commemorative event in London, the details of which will be developed later this year.

Far East Prisoners of War

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report on the Government's ex gratia payment to former Far East prisoners of war will be made public.

Don Touhig: The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration is an Officer of the House and, as such, is entirely independent of the Government. The publication of her reports is a matter for her.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allow an in-house bid for his Department's work at the base in Gibraltar.

Adam Ingram: It is the Ministry of Defence's intention to seek both an in-house option and bids from contractors for the delivery of key support functions under Project Pegasus. Unfortunately, until the Trade Unions return to the Whitley process, we will be unable to pursue the in-house option.
	However, we do not judge an in-house option feasible to deliver estate services efficiently. There is no in-house expertise in key areas including the provision of trained and experienced personnel to implement mandated safe systems of work; tendering and letting works contracts; and the management and control of directly employed labour to carry out maintenance tasks. An in-house option could neither achieve the economies of scale that could be offered by industry, nor the transfer of large elements of risk (both financial and health and safety) from the Department. It would not therefore deliver the required savings or achieve full value for money for the tax payer.

Interoperability

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what areas of British armed forces he expects to comply by 2010 with the Headline 2010 goal of interoperability.

John Reid: The Government are committed to improving interoperability across the armed forces with both EU and NATO partners.

Interoperability

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of UK military equipment he expects to be pooled and shared with other EU member states by 2010.

John Reid: None.

Iraq

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses serving in Iraq are (i) regular service personnel, (ii) territorial or reserve personnel and (iii) civilian agency staff; and if he will list the respective pay scales of each.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 June 2005
	There are currently 29 United Kingdom military doctors serving in Iraq, of which three are Reservists, and 75 UK military nurses, of which 35 are Reservists. There are no civilian doctors and four civilian agency medical nurses in Iraq working for the UK armed forces.
	The pay scales for military personnel, both regular and reservist are published in the 2005 Armed Forces Pay Review Body reports. The civilian agency staff are employed through two contracts and MOD does not hold the information about what the individuals are paid.

Landing Ship Dock Programme

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Swan Hunter has made representations regarding additional funding for the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) programme above the £87 million negotiated last year; and whether there have been variations to the contract since January.

Adam Ingram: Swan Hunter has recently confirmed to the Ministry of Defence that its costs to complete the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) programme are likely to increase. The extent to which the MOD may bear any additional costs is currently being assessed. There have been minor variations to the contract since January 2005, predominately for the procurement of spares to support the vessels.

Nuclear Deterrent

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 446W, on Trident, whether the range of options about the future of the UK strategic nuclear deterrent includes an option of not proceeding with a new generation strategic nuclear deterrent.

John Reid: The Labour Party's manifesto for the 2005 general election made clear our commitment to retain the UK's independent nuclear deterrent.
	Although decisions on any replacement for Trident are likely to be taken in the current Parliament, it is too early to rule out, or rule in, any particular option.

Nuclear Deterrent

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 446W, on Trident, whether the decision on whether to replace Trident will be the subject of a substantive vote in Parliament.

John Reid: It is too early to say what formal procedures might be used to underpin future decision-making by the Government in this area.

Nuclear Deterrent

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparatory work has begun on a replacement for Trident; what the cost of that work has been; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 June 2005, Official Report, columns333–34W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

QinetiQ

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role QinetiQ plays in (a) testing and (b) evaluating the effectiveness of military training programmes.

Adam Ingram: QinetiQ's Centre for Human Sciences (CHS) operates a training advisory group employing circa 10 people, providing support to the MOD on training needs analysis and the optimisation of training regimes.
	QinetiQ's Centre for Human Sciences has been involved with testing and evaluating the effectiveness of military training programmes in a number of areas including:
	Effective and Efficient Army Collective Training—CHS has been involved in work improving the cost-effectiveness of a number of training systems currently being developed by the Army.
	Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training—CHS has been involved in the development of effective and efficient training for the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.

QinetiQ

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the potential for conflicts of interest where QinetiQ is competing for departmental contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: During the QinetiQ vesting process, the potential for such conflicts of interest was considered. To ensure any such conflicts were properly addressed, two courses of action were taken:
	The Ministry of Defence ownership interest in QinetiQ was kept completely separate from the competitive contract placement activities.
	Compliance processes were implemented, which ensure advice QinetiQ provides to MOD is independent of commercial contracts that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest.

QinetiQ

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to complete the privatisation of QinetiQ.

Adam Ingram: In February 2003 the Ministry of Defence announced its intention to sell its entire stake in QinetiQ within three to five years and that this would probably be by way of a flotation on the stock market. No decisions have yet been made on the precise timing.

QinetiQ

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) British and (b) overseas company acquisitions made by QinetiQ in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: QinetiQ was vested in July 2001. Since that date it has made three full acquisitions, all in 2004:
	(a) One British company, HVR Consulting Services Ltd.; and
	(b) Two US companies, namely Foster Miller Inc. and Westar Aerospace and Defense Group Inc.
	In addition, during 2004, QinetiQ purchased the remaining 55 per cent. of its joint venture, ASAP Calibration Limited, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.

Royal Navy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to fit (a) HMS Gloucester and (b) HMS Manchester with the Mark 8 Mod 1 gun.

Adam Ingram: There are no plans to fit the 4.5 inch Mark 8 Mod 1 gun to either HMS Gloucester or HMS Manchester. However, two Batch 3 Type 42 Destroyers, HMS York and HMS Edinburgh, were recently fitted with the Mod 1 configuration as part of their scheduled upkeep work. There are no plans to retrofit the gun to any other Batch 2 or Batch 3 Type 42s.

Territorial Army

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army medical personnel (a) have been and (b) are deployed in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Some 2,740 Territorial Army (TA) medical personnel have been called up in support of operations in Iraq. There are currently some 230 TA medical personnel serving in Iraq.

Type-23 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ship sets of Sonar 2087 have been ordered; to which Type-23s they will be fitted; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: A total of eight ship sets of Sonar 2087 have now been ordered. A contract to procure sets seven and eight of Sonar 2087 was placed with Thales Underwater Systems in April 2005. The Type 23 frigates to which Sonar 2087 will be fitted have not changed since the answer I gave on 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 691W, to the hon. Member.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Abandoned Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abandoned cars were recorded in each local authority in England and Wales in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05.

Ben Bradshaw: Estimates for abandoned vehicles removed and destroyed in England have been compiled in the DEFRA municipal waste management survey since 2001. The figures for 2003–04 are shown in a table placed in the Library of the House. We do not have the figures for Wales. The figures for 2004–05 will be released once they have been collated and verified.

Animal Welfare

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on limiting the use of fast-growing breeds in the broiler industry.

Ben Bradshaw: The recently published proposal for a Council directive laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production includes a commitment from the Commission, of not later than five years from the date of adoption of the directive, to submit to the European Parliament and to the Council, a report concerning the influence of genetic parameters on identified deficiencies resulting in poor welfare of chickens. The UK will be involved in discussions on the proposal with other member states, in working groups, over the next few months.

Animal Welfare

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make representations to the European Commission to implement the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Welfare for a maximum stocking density of 25 kg/sq m.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission has recently published proposals for a Council directive laying down minimum rules, including a two tier stocking density, for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. The proposal takes account of the recommendations of the SCAHAW report and the results of recent scientific research.

Aquatic Environment

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has procured to establish the levels of residues from anti-depressant drugs in the (a) livers, (b) brains and (c) muscle of fish.

Ben Bradshaw: As a follow-up to studies commissioned by the Environment Agency in which trace levels of some pharmaceuticals were detected in UK sewage effluents and rivers, the CEFAS Laboratory at Burnham on Crouch has investigated the presence of selected pharmaceutical products, including the antidepressant Lofepramine, in the liver and muscles of a small number of pike in the Grand Union canal. Pike are predatory fish and due to biomagnification will exhibit the highest levels of any residues likely to enter the food chain. Lofepramine was not detected in any of the samples.
	The Environment Agency have developed a position statement on pharmaceuticals—which can be found on the Agency's website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk (search-pharmaceuticals). This elaborates further on the work done and includes a recommendation to the pharmaceutical industry to do more on the development of analytical methods for environmental monitoring. Iam pleased that the Environment Agency is in discussion with the industry on the development of a work programme to cover the recommendations to industry listed in the position statement.

Illegal Meat

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase the resources available for detecting imports of illegal meat.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have made available an additional £25 million over the three financial years from 2003–06 to tackle illegal imports from outside the European Union of any meat, other animal products and plant products. The majority of this funding is for additional resources to be deployed by Customs to detect illegal imports at the frontier. The current level of funding has been included in Customs' allocation for future years. Funding will also continue to be available for Defra to examine the risks and help increase public awareness, and for the FSA for work on inland controls.
	Overall, the money for the illegal imports programme needs to be looked at in the context of the whole control regime including the legal trade. Funding has to be proportionate to risk. Our controls compare well with other EU member states.

Illegal Meat

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are taken by her Department to detect illegal bush meat imported through British ports and airports; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have made available an additional £25 million over the three financial years from 2003–06 to tackle illegal imports from outside the European Union of meat (including bush meat), other animal products, and plant products. Customs are responsible for anti-smuggling controls at the border. In addition to their 3,500 detection staff, they also have dedicated extra resources (c 100 officers and a 10 'meat' detector dog programme) targeting higher risk import routes.
	This has resulted in a considerable increase in seizures in 2003–04 to 15,838. There was a further significant increase in 2004–05—final figures will be published in DEFRA's annual review in July. However bush meat forms only a very small part (approx 3 per cent.) of Customs seizures of POAO.
	The National Audit Office recently published (23 March 2005) a report recognising the good work of Customs in detecting illegal imports, and that our controls compare well to those of other EU member states. I am also pleased that there have been eight successful prosecutions, the most recent in June resulting in a custodial sentence.
	Customs will continue to be vigorous in tackling illegal imports, including the use of new technology such as over-the-belt X-ray scanners at selected major airports to assist in its operations.
	We recognise that the risk of disease can never be reduced to zero, but a number of measures that the Government have taken to improve prevention, detection, and domestic biosecurity, has we believe, reduced the risk.

Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of implementing the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.

Ben Bradshaw: The cost to local authorities of meeting the Landfill Directive targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste to landfill through the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme was considered in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Landfill Allowance and Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2004. The aim of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme is to enable local authorities to meet these targets in the most cost-effective way.
	In terms of administrative costs, there will be no significant additional burden on waste disposal authorities as a result of implementing the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. Authorities are now required to submit monitoring information quarterly rather than annually but Waste Dataflow enables them to do this electronically. They will also need to register any transfer of allowances on an electronic register. Neither are considered onerous tasks.

Municipal Recycling

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Government targets for recycling provision local authorities must meet over the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the use of weight-based targets for local authorities in respect of their recycling activities.

Ben Bradshaw: In response to recommendation 9 of the strategy unit report Waste not, Want not", the Government are currently undertaking a review of recycling and composting targets in the light of performance against 2003–04 targets. The review is considering the efficacy of the existing suite of targets, and the value in setting future targets. It will take into account the fact that there are already a number of policy levers designed to drive the management of waste up the hierarchy. The targets review will inform decisions by Ministers—as soon as possible—on any adjustment to existing targets and on any new sustainable waste targets to be set at national or local level aimed at driving up performance. Both reviews will take full account of stakeholders' and the public's views.

Municipal Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the collection practices of local authorities for recycling purposes arising from the use of weight-based targets, with particular reference to the relationship between material collected and available in UK markets for that material.

Ben Bradshaw: We have not conducted an assessment of collection practices rising from the use of weight based targets. However, given the large increases in the amounts of recyclates targeted for collection, we have tasked the Waste and Resources Action Programme to develop markets for recycled materials and products. Six core materials streams have been identified as priorities for market development purposes, four of which (glass, organics, paper and plastics) arise both in the household and the commercial waste streams. WRAP is targeting the creation of an additional 4,225,000 tonnes of market capacity per year for these six materials in the course of their 2004–06 business plan.

Non-motor Vehicle Batteries

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of non-motor vehicle batteries were recycled in the latest year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Less than 2 per cent. of spent portable batteries were collected in the UK for recycling. We believe the level of collection of industrial batteries for recycling is higher, but we do not have precise figures. The Government plan to undertake work to establish the collection and recycling levels being achieved for industrial batteries.

Primates

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate how many primates (a) are being kept as pets and (b) were imported in each of the last five years in order to satisfy the demand for pets.

Jim Knight: In answer to point (a) , we do not keep definitive figures of the total number of primates kept as pets in the UK but a study in 2000, commissioned by my Department, indicated that 655 primates were kept in England and Wales under Dangerous Wild Animals Act licences (this Act regulates many, but not all, primate species).
	In answer to point (b) , an import permit issued in accordance with EU Regulations implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is required for the import of all primates into EU and may only be issued when certain conditions have been met. It is our view that primates are not suitable for the general pet trade and permits are therefore limited to zoos, scientific institutions, or specialised private keepers. It is not possible to provide information on how many primates are imported each year to satisfy the demand for pets because the internationally agreed import purpose codes do not break the figures down in this way.
	Last week I announced the Government's intention to go out to public consultation regarding the use of the powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 by the end of July. The Regulation is essentially a conservation measure but we shall certainly consider whether it would be appropriate to use these powers to restrict the keeping of primates as pets.

Recycling

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) mobile phones and (b) printer cartridges were (i) recycled, (ii) reused overseas and (iii) disposed of within the UK waste stream in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government do not currently collect data on the numbers of mobile phones and printer cartridges that have been recycled, reused or disposed of in the UK waste stream.
	The Government will be collecting data on the amounts of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), including IT and telecoms equipment, reused and recycled to report to the European Commission when the producer responsibility obligations of the WEEE Directive come into force from January 2006.

Rights of Way

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to set a commencement date for the provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act concerning the introduction of restricted byways; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Government are proposing to use the new category of right of way, restricted byway, to put into effect its proposals to curtail claims for mechanically propelled vehicle rights, as set out in Part 6 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill. This will be achieved by enabling rights acquired by non mechanically propelled vehicles to be recorded as restricted byways rather than byways open to all traffic.
	The regulations necessary to implement the restricted byway provisions have already been drafted. However, before laying the regulations and commencing the relevant provisions we will need to ensure that the final terms of Part 6 of the Bill are compatible with these regulations.

Waste Resources, Treatment and Action Programme

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the EU investigations into whether the UK is failing to fulfil its obligations under Article 3(1) and Annex IA and Articles 5(2), 5(3), 10 and Annex I.B of Council Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 June 2005
	I can confirm the European Commission is conducting an investigation into UK compliance with the provisions of the Directive cited in the question. The detail and outcome of the investigation are a matter for the European Commission to comment on.

Waste Resources, Treatment and Action Programme

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department will reply to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee Report on Waste Policy and the Landfill Directive.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government will reply to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee Report on Waste Policy and the Landfill Directive as soon as possible.

Waste Resources, Treatment and Action Programme

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total expenditure by the Waste Resources and Action Programme was in 2003–04; and how many tonnes of waste were recycled in that year.

Ben Bradshaw: The total expenditure by the Waste Resources and Action Programme in 2003–04 was £31,552,752.
	The total amount of municipal waste collected in the UK for recycling in that year was 6.4m tonnes, of which 5.2m tonnes was household waste. The equivalent England-only figures are 5.5m tonnes and 4.5m tonnes.
	Data for total tonnage recycled are not available.

TRANSPORT

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) the current level and (b) the future level of noise pollution emanating from the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency do not have specific details of: (a) the current level and (b) the future level of noise pollution emanating from the proposed A21 Flimwell to Robertsbridge Improvement as it has not yet entered the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements. However, initial work done to support the Preferred Route Announcement would indicate that a moderate improvement for those people living close to the existing road could be expected. A detailed noise assessment will be carried out at the next design stage.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of speed limits on the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge on managing traffic flow.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency has carried out localised assessments of traffic speed on the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge and noted that speed was a contributory factor to the accident record on this section. It has responded to these safety concerns in several ways, one of which is to reduce the speed limit through the Flimwell crossroads, along the Flimwell dual carriageway and at the Northbridge Street pedestrian crossing.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to announce funding for upgrading of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.

Stephen Ladyman: We announced in December 2004 that our decisions on schemes on trunk roads categorised as predominantly of regional importance, and which would not be starting works until after 2007–08, will be taken after advice from the regions. Each region will consider such schemes alongside other proposed transport investment in their region. We are currently considering the arrangements, including timescales, for obtaining regional advice in the light of the responses to our consultation on these proposals.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to carry out further consultation into the proposed improvement of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.

Stephen Ladyman: We have no plans to undertake further formal consultation into the proposed improvement of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge. The Highways Agency published the preferred route for the scheme in February 2005. This followed consultation with the public, local authorities and other interested organisations who were invited to express their views on the proposed route.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of traffic flows on the single carriageway section of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency measures traffic flow on the trunk road network on a continuous basis.
	Average annual daily traffic levels for the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge for the year 2003, the last year for which figures are published, were 17,900 vehicles per day. The average annual weekday traffic was 18,100 vehicles per day, 6 per cent. of which were HGVs.
	Traffic flows for 2004 are expected to be published at the end of June 2005.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money has been expended in the planning of the A21 improvement schemes.

Stephen Ladyman: Since 2002, £3.66 million of public money (excluding VAT) has been spent in the planning of the A21 improvement schemes.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and others about effects on (a) the economy and (b) regeneration of the local area of upgrading the A21.

Stephen Ladyman: Ministerial colleagues have liaised with DEFRA ministers on the impact of the proposed A21 schemes including the impact they would have on the rural economy.
	The impact of improvements to the A21 on the Hastings's economy were considered as part of the Access to Hastings Multi Modal Study and the Highways Agency were asked to examine the viability of such improvements.
	In addition following the Multi Modal Study the Secretary of State asked SEEDA (South East England Regional Development Agency) to prepare a regeneration package for the Bexhill Hastings area. The resulting taskforce produced a five point regeneration plan which includes a transport theme. Improvements to the A21 are an identified priority in this plan.
	The Department's Appraisal Methodology for new road schemes takes into account, among other things, the impact a scheme would have on the regeneration of the immediate areas. Since the inception of the five point plan, the A21 Lamberhurst bypass has been opened and the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury, and A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst have both been added to the Highways Agency's Targeted Programme of Improvements.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of road safety on the single carriageway section of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge during (a) peak and (b) off-peak times.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency carried out two assessments of road safety on this section of the A21 in the period of 2003–04 but these assessments make no distinction between peak and off-peak accident records.
	The safety reports have identified accident clusters and at one specific site, where speed has been a factor, the Highways Agency has already introduced a new pedestrian crossing at Northbridge street. The Agency is looking at further safety improvements that could be carried out in the future.

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of traffic speeds on the single carriageway section of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge during (a) peak and (b) off-peak times.

Stephen Ladyman: Localised assessments of traffic speed have been undertaken but not specifically for either the peak or off-peak times. The Highways Agency's assessment is that the existing speed limit was a contributory factor to the accident record on this section of the A21 between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.
	The Highways Agency has responded to the safety record on this route and the concern of the local community by introducing a new pedestrian crossing at Northbridge street and a reduced speed limit of 40 mph on the approach to the crossing.

A27

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on his plans for the A27 between Beddingham and Polegate, with particular reference to the Folkington link.

Stephen Ladyman: We have asked the Highways Agency to carry out further work on less environmentally damaging options for this section of the A27. That work should be available soon and we expect to make an announcement on the way forward in the autumn.

Air Travel Organisers Licensing Scheme

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the air travel organisers licensing scheme to non-charter airlines.

Karen Buck: The Department is currently considering the Civil Aviation Authority's economic analysis and assessment of the likely regulatory impact of a range of options for the future financial protection of air travellers.

Aircraft Emissions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to tackle aircraft emissions.

Karen Buck: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 60W, to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes). The Government's plans to tackle aircraft emissions are set out in The Future of Air Transport" white paper, which sets out the Government's belief that the best way of ensuring aviation contributes towards the goal of climate stabilisation would be through a well-designed emissions trading regime, for which the Government will press at international and European level.

Airport Expansion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Government policy for airport expansion in the UK.

Karen Buck: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 20W.

Buses

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money the Government provided for rural bus services in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and what the projected figure is for 2005.

Karen Buck: Allocations to local authorities of Rural Bus Subsidy Grant were £48.5 million in 2003–04, £51 million in 2004–05 and £53 million in 2005–06.
	In 2003, new awards totalling £20.3 million were announced in the final annual round of the Rural Bus Challenge (RBC) competition. Typically RBC awards provide project funding lasting for two to three years.
	In addition, support for rural bus services was included in awards made under the Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes. A total of over 250 awards were made by the Agency under these schemes in 2003–04, the last year new awards were made.

Buses

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on rural bus services by the Government in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and how much is projected to be spent in 2005.

Karen Buck: The actual or projected spend by this Department on rural bus services under the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant and Rural Bus Challenge schemes is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2003–04 61 
			 2004–05 69 
			 2005–06 (estimated) 72 
		
	
	Awards under the Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes have also included funding for the provision of rural bus services. Total spend under those schemes was £14 million in 2003–04 and £13.5 million in 2004–05 and the projected figure for 2005–06 is £8.4 million.

Buses

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents involving buses there were in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available. The numbers shown in the following table are for bus/coach, this category is determined by the construction of the vehicle rather than its use and includes vehicles equipped to carry 17 or more seated passengers, regardless of whether or not the vehicle is being used in stage operation.
	These figures are published each year in table 23 of Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report".
	
		Accidents involving a bus/coach(1): GB 1997–2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 11,034 
			 1998 11,585 
			 1999 11,735 
			 2000 11,524 
			 2001 11,334 
			 2002 10,586 
			 2003 10,765 
		
	
	(1)Accidents involving at least one bus/coach.

Buses

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment the Government have made of the cost to local authorities of the Government's plans to introduce free bus travel for pensioners and the disabled; and if he will publish a regulatory impact assessment;
	(2)  what the estimated cost is of the Government's plans to introduce free bus travel for pensioners and the disabled in each year for which such an estimate has been made.

Karen Buck: The Government will provide an extra £350 million in 2006–07 and an extra £367.5 million in 2007–08 which will be sufficient to fund the cost to local authorities.
	A regulatory impact assessment will be published later this year.

Concessionary Travel

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will calculate the grant settlement to cover the costs of the concessionary fare scheme announced in the Budget according to public transport usage figures or figures for the take-up of concessionary travel;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the costs to local councils from April 2006 of the introduction of a free fare scheme for people aged 60 plus and the disabled for local journeys by bus; how he expects councils to meet the increased costs of concessionary fares; and what proportion of the increase will be met by the Treasury.

Karen Buck: The Government will provide an extra £350 million in 2006–07 which will be sufficient to fund the cost to local authorities. A final decision on the distribution of the extra funding has not yet been made.

Container Ports

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the results of the outstanding applications for major container port developments.

Stephen Ladyman: Decisions will be announced on individual applications for major container port developments when Ministers have completed their consideration on each case.

Crossrail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance his Department has given to the preferred bidders for the Greater Western franchise on the impact of Crossrail on the bid.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 14 June 2005
	Crossrail is currently the subject of a hybrid Bill before Parliament and the timing of its construction and operation is therefore dependent on the outcome of that process. The tender documentation notes that, in the event that Crossrail is authorised by Parliament and proceeds, the impact of its construction will be dealt with under the Network Change provisions of the Track Access Agreement. Furthermore, bidders have been advised to assume that Crossrail services will not operate during the term of the Greater Western franchise.

Elderly Drivers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has carried out into accidents caused by elderly drivers suffering from medical conditions which rendered them unfit to drive.

Stephen Ladyman: Research on elderly drivers and medical conditions has been included where relevant in the Department's programme of research on Medical Aspects of Fitness to Drive, but specific projects on elderly drivers have not been commissioned. Research has been completed on medical aspects of fitness to drive relating to visual field defects and excessive daytime sleepiness. Research is in progress on risks of further acute vascular events, insulin treated diabetes and driving, further study of visual field defects relating to central scotoma, and attitudes of health professionals to giving advice on fitness to drive.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate what percentage of road accidents in the area corresponding as closely as available to the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency involved heavy goods vehicles in 2004.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not yet available for 2004. There were five accidents involving at least one heavy goods vehicle in the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency in 2003, which is 3 per cent. of the 181 reported road accidents in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the damage to roads caused by heavy goods vehicles.

Stephen Ladyman: UK design and assessment loading standards for highway structures were last made to cover the effects of 40-tonne EU vehicles prior to them being permitted on UK roads from 1 January 1999. Extensive research has shown that road pavement damage is strongly influenced by axle loadings, which have not increased since that time; for an individual axle mass of 10.5 tonne, there is approximately 40 per cent. less road wear than for an axle mass of 11.5 tonnes. Thus 44 tonnes gross weight vehicles as are now permitted to operate on UK roads and mainly fitted with six axles, each with a limit of 10.5 tonnes, cause less road wear than 40 tonne vehicles operating with five axles each with an 11.5 tonne limit.

Motorway Repairs

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance is given to contractors on motorways about the length of carriageway that should be coned off in order to achieve the optimum balance between completing road works efficiently and not increasing congestion unduly.

Stephen Ladyman: Guidance on the effects of road works and the steps that can be taken to minimise these are provided in Chapter 8 of the Department for Transport's traffic signs manual published by the Stationery Office. Specific advice is given on the maximum lengths of roadworks and the minimum distance between adjacent roadworks on trunk and principal roads. This advice is intended to provide the balance between enabling the work to be done efficiently and safely and minimising inconvenience to the public.
	The Highways Agency also uses a computer based system to enable contractors to determine the potential delays caused by different layouts, so that they can be minimised.

Motorway Repairs

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the five miles of one of the carriageways of the M1 motorway in both directions was coned off and closed to traffic on 3 June, when work was only being carried out over a distance of 100 yards; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency commenced major maintenance work on the M1 between junctions 29 to 30 northbound and southbound on 4 May 2005. The work is to replace worn out sections of the carriageways. The Agency is also taking the opportunity to renew central reservation safety fencing and the joints of five separate bridges that are located along the length of the traffic cones. All of this work is undertaken at night.
	On 3 June, the night operations included work at all five bridge locations and safety fence works. The cones remain in place during the day because it would not be safe or practical to remove and reset the traffic cones daily, as this would be an added danger to the workforce and incur considerable costs to the project.
	The traffic management layouts and works programme have been carefully designed to maximise lane availability for road users. Three lanes are maintained during peak hours in the day and two at night in both directions, while maintaining safety for the workforce and travelling public.
	The work is progressing well and is on course for completion by the end of August 2005.

Off-Road Vehicle Licensing

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much surplus revenue was raised from the Statutory Off-Road Notification vehicle licensing scheme over and above the costs of administering the scheme in 2004–05.

Stephen Ladyman: The surplus revenue from the Statutory Off-Road Notification vehicle licensing scheme in 2004–05 was £13,000.

Pedicabs

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether the Disability Discrimination (Transport Vehicles) Regulations 2006 will apply to pedicabs; and what assessment his Department has made of whether pedicab vehicles comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;
	(2)  if he will meet the operators of pedicabs to discuss ways in which their vehicles can be redesigned to conform with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Karen Buck: To the extent that pedicabs fall within the definition of taxi" as defined in the regulations, which we published in draft in November 2004, then it is proposed that they will be covered.
	Accessibility regulations have not yet been made under Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. When those regulations are made they will require that taxis, as defined in the Act, are subject to the accessibility requirements. We have no immediate plans to meet with pedicab operators to discuss accessibility issues.

Public Transport (Fatal Accidents)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal accidents there were on public transport in England in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The table gives number of fatalities in road accidents on buses or coaches, minibuses and taxis. These include passengers, drivers and other staff on the vehicle. They do not include casualties in accidents which occurred off the public highway, such as in bus depots. Road vehicles are recorded by construction rather than use. Bus, coach and minibus casualties in the table are not necessarily those from vehicles used for public service.
	Rail fatalities are given for train accidents and accidents through movement of railway vehicles such as boarding and alighting from trains.
	
		Public transport: road
		
			  Taxi Minibus(2) Bus or coach 
		
		
			 1997 12 — 14 
			 1998 5 — 18 
			 1999 10 15 11 
			 2000 12 14 15 
			 2001 4 24 14 
			 2002 6 7 19 
			 2003 11 16 11 
		
	
	(2)Prior to 1999, data for minibuses were included with motor caravans.
	
		Public transport: rail(4)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1996–97 21 
			 1997–98 42 
			 1998–99 32 
			 1999–2000 60 
			 2000–01 34 
			 2001–02 26 
			 2002–03 42 
		
	
	(3)Rail accidents are train accidents and accidents through movement of railway vehicles.

Race Relations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of his Department comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport is strongly committed to promoting race equality as an employer, in the services that the Department and its agencies deliver and in the policies that it develops. The Department published its Race Equality Scheme 2005–08 on 31 May 2005.
	The Race Equality Scheme and the associated Action Plans for 2005–08 set out how the Department, its six Executive agencies and other organisations for which the Department is responsible, will comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
	The Department monitors, analyses and publishes the outcomes of the following on an annual basis: recruitment activity including promotions; training and development; performance appraisals; discipline cases; grievance cases; and ceased employment. All the Department's functions and policies have been assessed and will continue to be assessed for their race relevance to meet the specific duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Road Accidents

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport how many accidents occurred on the A49 between Ludlow and Shrewsbury in the last 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		Accidents
		
			 Severity 2003 
		
		
			 Fatal 1 
			 Serious 2 
			 Slight 45 
			 Total 48

Road Fund Licences

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of motorists were issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency with a renewal notice for their (a) road fund licence and (b) statutory off-road notification declaration in the most recent year for which information is available.

Stephen Ladyman: A total of 39,800,854 licences or SORN renewal reminder notices were issued by DVLA in 2004–05. At the end of 2004–05 there were 32,258,857 licensed vehicles and 2,201,933 vehicles for which a SORN declaration had been made.
	The number of reminder notices issued exceeds the total stock of vehicles mainly because motorists have the option of purchasing six months licences. In these cases two reminder notices were issued over the licensing year.

Road Fund Licences

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) road fund and (b) statutory off-road notification declarations were issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for each construction and use class of motor vehicles in each of the last five years for which records are available; and how many renewal reminder notices were issued in each category.

Stephen Ladyman: DVLA does not hold these details broken down by category of vehicle. The tables detail the numbers of tax renewal reminders notices issued by DVLA and the total number of VED applications and SORN declarations processed together with the licensed vehicle stock, broken down by category at the end of each year.
	
		Tax renewal reminder notices issued (no separate figures are held, for SORN reminders)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 36,587,988 
			 2001–02 36,775,597 
			 2002–03 37,613,560 
			 2003–04 37,835,189 
			 2004–05 39,800,854 
		
	
	
		Applications processed -- Number
		
			 Licensing Applications 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Licence renewal reminder notices 27,997,556 28,965,236 29,224,804 31,518,374 30,207,779 
			 Manual licensing applications 9,104,644 9,310,662 9,457,992 8,751,798 9,472,862 
			 Total 37,102,200 38,275,898 38,682,796 40,270,172 39,680,641 
		
	
	
		SORN declarations -- Number
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 SORN reminder notices 1,059,293 1,162,387 1 ,222,733 1,699,067 2,292,656 
			 SORN manual declarations 115,906 258,771 352,351 946,811 366,339 
			 Total 1,175,199 1,421,158 1,575,084 2,645,878 2,658,995 
		
	
	
		Licensed vehicle stock -- Thousand
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Cars 24,406 25,126 25,782 26,240 27,028 
			 Taxis 38 39 39 39 41 
			 Tricycles 954 1,010 1,070 1,135 1,191 
			 Motorcycles 24 22 21 19 18 
			 Light goods 2,204 2,276 2,343 2,434 2,581 
			 Goods 583 603 625 639 663 
			 Bus and coach 173 172 173 175 178 
			 Agricultural 287 284 292 304 321 
			 Others 229 216 213 222 238 
			 Total 28,898 29,747 30,557 31,207 32,259

Road Pricing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects that the (a) London congestion charging scheme and (b) Durham congestion charging scheme would continue if universal road pricing were introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 16 June 2005 to the hon. Members for Dundee, East (Stewart Hosie) and for Romford (Andrew Rosindell).

Safety Cameras

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras have operated since 6 December 2004, broken down by (a) partnership, (b) class of road and (c) between (i) fixed and (ii)mobile cameras.

Stephen Ladyman: Information, as held by the Department, was provided in my answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, columns 617–19W. Further detailed information is available from partnerships.

Safety Cameras

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 617W, on speed cameras, for what reasons some safety camera partnerships were not included in the answer; and if he will provide the relevant information.

Stephen Ladyman: The previous question and my answer related to the number of speed cameras as at December 2004, and it covered all 35 partnerships in the safety camera programme at that time. With effect from 1 April 2005, the number of partnerships has increased to 38, including a separate Gloucestershire partnership (previously included as part of the combined Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire Partnership), Surrey and Merseyside partnerships, which joined the programme from 1 April 2005.
	The number of speed camera sites in these three partnership areas, as at 1 April is:
	
		Number
		
			  Gloucestershire Surrey Merseyside 
		
		
			 Fixed 29 16 27 
			 Mobile 50 0 0 
			 Total 79 16 27

Taxis

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many green and yellow badge licensed taxi drivers there have been in London in each year since 1975.

Karen Buck: The following table shows the number of green (all London) and yellow badge (suburban) licensed taxi drivers there have been in London in each year since 1975. This information has been provided by the Public Carriage Office (figures for the split between yellow and green badge are not available for 1975 and 1976).
	
		Number of licensed taxi drivers at end of year
		
			  All London Suburban Total 
		
		
			 1975 — — 16,037 
			 1976 — — 16,152 
			 1977 14,981 1,493 16,474 
			 1978 15,222 1,518 16,740 
			 1979 15,515 1,561 17,076 
			 1980 15,731 1,646 17,377 
			 1981 16,058 1,766 17,824 
			 1982 16,233 1,853 18,086 
			 1983 16,311 1,894 18,205 
			 1984 16,483 1,834 18,317 
			 1985 16,867 1,782 18,649 
			 1986 17,434 1,752 19,186 
			 1987 17,953 1,732 19,685 
			 1988 18,364 1,699 20,063 
			 1989 18,854 1,671 20,525 
			 1990 19,112 1,814 20,926 
			 1991 18,546 1,674 20,220 
			 1992 18,728 1,765 20,493 
			 1993 19,017 1,760 20,777 
			 1994 19,572 1,766 21,338 
			 1995 20,154 1,781 21,935 
			 1996 20,304 1,805 22,109 
			 1997 20,287 1,965 22,252 
			 1998 20,395 2,077 22,472 
			 1999 20,889 2,457 23,346 
			 1999–2000 20,985 2,404 23,389 
			 2000–01 21,337 2,541 23,878 
			 2001–02 21,712 2,708 24,420 
			 2002–03 21,809 2,937 24,746 
			 2003–04 21,745 3,105 24,850 
			 2004–05 21,561 3,114 24,675 
			 Today 21,569 3,123 24,692

Traffic Survey (M1)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason a traffic survey was carried out on the M1 near to its intersection with the M25 on 8 June.

Stephen Ladyman: While I am not aware of a specific traffic survey at this location on 8 June, traffic counts are being carried out throughout June on the M25 and the approaches to its junctions on the northern section. The traffic flow data is being used to support the design of theM25 Rapid Widening Scheme from junctions 16 to30.

Transport Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how far pensioners who are resident in Chorley will be able to travel free in the North West under the free travel scheme.

Karen Buck: From April 2006, pensioners and disabled residents in Chorley will be guaranteed free off-peak travel on bus services within the borough council boundary. However, local authorities will retain their discretion to work together to provide a county-wide concessionary travel scheme as currently exists in Lancashire.

Transport Services

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) others about transport provision in Kent.

Karen Buck: The Secretary of State, and his ministerial colleagues have regular and routine discussions with a variety of people about transport provision. Transport provision in the growth areas is a key issue for the Department, and Kent is often discussed in this context.

Under-age Drivers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances those who are not old enough to possess a driving licence may have imposed on them penalty points for driving offences.

Stephen Ladyman: Subject to the discretion of the court any person, of whatever age, who commits an endorseable offence may be subject to the imposition of penalty points.
	An underage driver commits the offence of driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence contrary to Section 87(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended.
	When a person is convicted of a driving offence by a court in Great Britain the court sends the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) notification of the endorsement. If the driver does not already hold a driving licence a record will be set up for them at the DVLA. If the driver is eligible to apply for a licence, and does so while the endorsement is still valid, then the endorsement would appear on the driving licence.

Uninsured Vehicles

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of motorists aged over 70 years who drove uninsured vehicles in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Estimates from the insurance industry are that about 5 per cent. (approximately 1.25 million) motorists drive while uninsured. There are no separate figures for the number of uninsured drivers aged over 70.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Access to Water

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will publish the progress report on the action taken by his Department (a) to progress access to water in seven key partner countries in Africa and (b) to boost capacity for the water sector in four other countries; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: A progress report against the DFID Water Action Plan is expected to be published by the end of July 2005. This will include a full report of progress with commitments made on World Water Day, including those relating to improving access to water in seven key partner countries in Africa and boosting capacity for the water sector in four other countries.

Acts of Parliament (Internet Access)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which his Department is responsible available online.

Gareth Thomas: The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO has considered the publication of Acts prior to 1988, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but has decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a Statute Law Database which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.

Afghanistan/Iraq

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by (a) the UK and (b) all other countries in support of humanitarian aid to (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq since 2001–02.

Hilary Benn: The latest OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) statistics for total humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan and Iraq are as follows (figures for emergency humanitarian assistance are in brackets):
	
		£ million
		
			  2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 All donors   
			 Afghanistan 283.4 (217.9) 854.6 (400.6) 938.8 (231.5) 
			 Iraq 80.6 (70.4) 77.3 (58.8) 1,387.1 (561.7) 
			
			 UK   
			 Afghanistan 24.6 (24.4) 87.2 (62.6) 60.4 (18.8) 
			 Iraq 8.8 (8.8) 9.2 (9.2) 110.2 (101.7) 
		
	
	Source:
	DAC
	Online Database, 9 June 2005
	Non-members of the DAC have also provided support to both countries but do not report it in a comparable way. The Iraqi Government are in the process of setting up a database to track donor assistance but figures are not yet available.
	DAC statistics for 2004 will be available in September. The estimated outturn for DFID spending for 2004–05 is £72.8 million for Afghanistan and £61 million for Iraq, as reported in the DFID 2005 Departmental Report.

Africa

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to reduce trade barriers in Africa.

Hilary Benn: The Government continues to seek a successful World Trade Organisation ministerial in Hong Kong in December 2005. Multilateral liberalisation that reduces tariff barriers among all countries will lead to the greatest gains for poor developing countries, including within Africa.
	Reducing trade barriers in Africa requires national governments to place a strong emphasis on trade as a source of growth. DFID supports the inter-agency Integrated Framework (IF). This helps countries to develop trade policies and the capacity to implement them as a part of wider poverty reduction plans. Countries where DFID will continue to play a leading role in the IF include Lesotho, Zambia, Rwanda, and Malawi.
	DFID supports several trade policy capacity building projects, including in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, and Nigeria. These assist Governments to develop trade policy, link this to poverty reduction and identify and negotiate their strategic interests in international trade negotiations. Any reduction in trade barriers within Africa must build on African countries' own regional integration efforts and development objectives and promote the development of supply side capacity to take advantage of market access opportunities. DFID also provides £11 million for a regional trade facilitation programme in Southern Africa, which supports enhanced trade within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) 1 and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) 2 .
	DFID is also working with the European Commission to ensure that its trade policies reduce barriers to trade in Africa, for example through influencing the current review of the EU's rules of origin to ensure they make it easier for African countries to use competitively priced inputs in their exports to the EU.
	1 SADC members: Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mauritius.
	2 COMESA members: Egypt, Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Swaziland, Uganda, Kenya, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, Namibia, and Seychelles.

Angola

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects a donor conference to be held for Angola; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Timing on a donors' conference has not as yet been confirmed. In order to ensure that the Government of Angola take the necessary steps towards a successful conference, Donors have made clear to the Government of Angola, their view that the Government should have in place both an agreed programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and an effective poverty reduction strategy. There have been a number of discussions between the Government of Angola and the IMF on the framework for a staff monitored programme, focusing largely on issues of financial transparency and public accountability. I understand that an Angolan mission will be visiting Washington soon for further discussions on this, which we hope will achieve agreement. On the issue of the poverty reduction strategy, DFID has offered support to the Government to improve the present draft, working with civil society and other donors.

Civil Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what value for money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in his Department in 2004–05.

Gareth Thomas: Value for money gains in central civil Government procurement for 2004–05 will be published in the 2005 Treasury Autumn Performance Report. The procurement saving for DFID is being calculated and will be incorporated within that report.
	In the period to April 2005 DFID staff numbers increased in response to development priorities including the setting up of the Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit and events in the Sudan, the work of the Commission for Africa and preparation to ensure positive development outcomes from Britain's G8 and EU presidencies. In line with the Government's target of a reduction of civil service and administrative posts by 2008, DFID is firmly committed to reducing its home civil service staff numbers by 10 per cent., from 1,780 in April 2004 to 1,610 by 2008. Plans have been prepared detailing how these reductions will be effected across the organisation.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by the Department in the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has let two major IT contracts in the past five years. Neither contract is complete and so the actual cost at the time of completion is not available. The Human Resource system being supplied by Northgate had a projected cost at tender of £1.18 million. The QUEST Electronic Document and Record Management system being supplied by LogicaCMG had a projected base cost at tender of £9.70 million with a number of additional cost options available under the same contract.
	DFID has also let a number of small IT related contracts. However our central records do not distinguish IT contracts, so provision of details for these contracts would incur disproportionate costs.

Union Representation

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many trade union learning representatives there are in his Department.

Gareth Thomas: DFID currently has two accredited trade union learning representatives—one each in our London and East Kilbride offices—while two other staff in East Kilbride hope to gain accreditation shortly.

Faith Awareness Training

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants in the Department received faith awareness training in 2004.

Gareth Thomas: During 2004–05, some 400 members of staff received training which included faith awareness. There is also guidance available to staff on our intranet covering the 'policy on religious observance' including time off for religious festivals, provision of prayer and meditation rooms, special dietary requirements and dress.

Faith Communities (Consultations)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent consultations have been carried out by his Department with representatives of faith communities; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has consulted widely with representatives of faith communities as part of an ongoing process. This has included:
	a study on how DFID engages with faith groups including consultation with individual faith communities and a one day workshop;
	a joint DFID/FCO audit of opinion of members the UK Muslim community and their thoughts on British foreign policy;
	a number of DFID country offices have consulted faith communities in agreeing the Country Assistance Plan process, for example, Nigeria, India and Bangladesh;
	ministerial meetings with faith leaders and faith based organisations such as CAFOD, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief; and
	a workshop for Islamic NGOs about DFID funding options, jointly hosted with the Muslim Council of Britain.

Forests

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to prevent further loss of forest cover in Africa.

Hilary Benn: DFID is currently helping to develop forest policy, implement reforms, and strengthen forest governance in Ghana, Cameroon, Malawi and Kenya.
	DFID recently designed a new £12 million programme of work on forest governance and trade in west and central Africa. This will focus on reforms in Ghana and Cameroon, where EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) partnership agreements offer the opportunity to bring EU consumer market forces into play. DFID is also supporting civil society strengthening and dialogue between Governments, the private sector and NGOs in the Congo Basin region. DFID recently began a programme that supports links between the private sector in the four African countries of Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and European trade federations. Our aim is to increase the awareness of African companies to new market requirements and opportunities.
	DFID's work in Malawi and Kenya is helping to establish a better basis for the management of forest plantations that can supply wood for household fuel and to industry. Clearance of natural forests for small-scale agriculture is the main cause of deforestation in Africa but harvesting of forests to meet household and industrial demands are contributing factors.

Iraq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the UK has spent on Iraqi reconstruction to date; and how much is planned for the remainder of the 2005–06 financial year.

Hilary Benn: DFID has disbursed £270 million for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq since March 2003. We plan to spend £65 million in 2005–06, of which £4 million has already been disbursed. DFID also provides 19 per cent. of European Community development funding: EC assistance to Iraq totalled €318.5 million for 2003 and 2004, and €200 million has been approved for 2005.
	The Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), funded jointly by DFID, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, disbursed £23 million on Iraq in 2003–04 and 2004–05. GCPP has so far allocated £15 million for 2005–06.
	In addition, the FCO has spent £38 million on reconstruction activities in Iraq, and the MOD have so far committed £30 million to Quick Impact Projects, most of which have been disbursed.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of his Department comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not identified any organisations or bodies within its area of responsibility that have an obligation to comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Sri Lanka

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of tsunami aid distribution in Sri Lanka; and what steps the Government are taking to ensure efficient distribution.

Gareth Thomas: As in all the tsunami-affected countries, in Sri Lanka, the unprecedented scale of the disaster put considerable pressure on logistics and co-ordination mechanisms. DFID gave direct support to overcome these challenges, including the secondment of an air operations co-ordinator, two shelter advisers, an adviser to the United Nations Humanitarian Information Centre and a member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination team.
	During the relief and recovery phase, DFID has supported the humanitarian work of Help Age, World Vision, Save the Children Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Sri Lankan Red Cross, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Security Co-ordinator in the areas under LTTE control in the North and East of the island. The United Nations has commented that the relief effort in Tamil areas has been impressive. Our humanitarian advisers in-country are monitoring the international response and are confident that aid is getting to those in need.
	On my recent visit to the east and south of Sri Lanka, I met with many families affected by the tsunami disaster and numerous national and international non-governmental organisations, United Nations and government officials working to support them.
	The Sri Lankan Government's response to the relief needs have been effective and spread evenly throughout the country. However due to the geography of many affected areas government officials have struggled to identify and acquire sufficient and appropriate land to relocate houses, schools, hospitals from the Government imposed exclusion zone. To tackle this issue the Sri Lankan Government are reconsidering the decision to exclude reconstruction in a 100 to 200 m buffer zone and attempting to fast track the acquisition of land. However more needs to be done to allow the numerous donors to start reconstruction. The sheer amount of work required to obtain land has delayed the implementation of reconstruction.
	Despite this, much work has been done with the construction of over 32,000 transitional shelters; 5,000 permanent houses under construction and a further 15,000 families receiving cash grants for self help reconstruction. I have impressed upon senior government officials that the affected people are often ill informed of the processes in place to support them and feel they have not been consulted on those processes.
	There is a need for the Sri Lankan Government to lead on improving the capacity and delegated authority of the district and local level government structures to cope with the massively increased work load. This is required across all affected areas.
	DFID stands ready to assist with technical support to the administrative/operational structures needed to be established or strengthened following the establishment of a Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure and a Post Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction Plan.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on progress in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the Sudan; whether the timetable is being adhered to; what pressure he is bringing to bear on parties to ensure that deadlines are adhered to; and how the UK has monitored progress since the departure of the UK special envoy.

Hilary Benn: Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is moving forward, but is behind schedule. The crucial National Constitutional Review Commission, to which the UK provided technical expertise, will complete its work on the Interim National Constitution shortly. The presidency is due to be inaugurated, on time, on 9 July, but the formation of the Government of National Unity will be delayed by up to one month, to allow the presidency to conclude discussions on the new Government.
	During my recent visit to Sudan, I pressed the parties urgently to implement the agreement, and will continue to do so. Implementation is a huge task, and our assessment is that delays are due in large part to a lack of capacity of the parties to implement the agreement. This underlines the need for international support, which DFID is are already providing, and have made clear our willingness to do more. Through the embassy in Khartoum and the (expanded) joint DFID/FCO Sudan unit in London, we will continue to monitor implementation of the CPA and work to support the parties in achieving this. We are also urging others to do more.
	On 13 June, the Foreign Secretary and I announced that Alan Goulty would be appointed as the UK special representative for Darfur. He will focus on working with the African Union mediation and the parties to achieve a political solution for Darfur, within the framework of the CPA. Mr. Goulty brings a wealth of experience to this role.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to complete the arrangements for the UK mortality survey in Darfur; and what his most recent estimate is of the number of people who have died each day on average in Darfur.

Hilary Benn: The UK is funding a second World Health Organisation (WHO) mortality survey that is currently being conducted in Darfur. We expect the results will be published by the end of this month.
	Very little data are available on mortality rates in Darfur. Estimates from the previous WHO study conducted in August 2004 showed that there had been between 1.5 and 3.3 deaths per 10,000 people per day. This study only surveyed people in accessible internally displaced people (IDPs) camps, and had very little coverage of South Darfur. The new survey is sampling IDPs in camps and settlements, and affected resident populations, and will allow the UN to make more up to date estimates.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the level of (a) malnutrition and (b) risks to personal health of the displaced people of Darfur.

Hilary Benn: Malnutrition rates vary across Darfur. The latest UN 'Nutrition in Crisis Situations' report published in May 2005, showed average to precarious malnutrition levels in a number of locations: in South Darfur, 15.6 per cent. of the assessed population of the Gereida Internally Displaced People camp were found to be suffering from global acute malnutrition (GAM) with 4 per cent. suffering severe acute malnutrition (SAM); in Kalma IDP camp, South Darfur, the GAM rate was 9.9 per cent. and the SAM rate was 2.6 per cent.; in West Darfur across three camps in the Jebel Mara area, the GAM rate was 16.2 per cent. and the SAM rate 1.5 per cent. GAM rates of 20 per cent. or above or SAM rates of 5 per cent. or above would denote a very serious situation.
	In its latest update on the health situation in Darfur, the World Health Organisation said that between 28 May and 3 June there were 66,617 reported cases of illness among the 1.56 million people under its surveillance in Darfur. The biggest causes of illness were acute respiratory tract infection (17 per cent.), malaria (6 per cent.) and bloody diarrhoea (4 per cent.).

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his latest estimate is of the number of people dependent on food aid in Darfur; what the figure was in June 2004; and what his latest assessment is of whether sufficient food is in place to enable those who are dependent on food aid to survive the rainy season.

Hilary Benn: The World Food Programme's (WFP) latest report shows that in May this year it reached 1.8 million of its 2.3 million target beneficiaries in Darfur. In June 2004 it reached 650,000 of its 1.2 million target.
	The WFP have pre-positioned 30,000 metric tonnes, sufficient to cover three months, in West Darfur in advance of the rainy season. For South and North Darfur—where the impact of the rains on access is generally less severe than in West Darfur—the WFP will continue its delivery of food throughout the rainy season. Supplies are mainly brought in via Port Sudan, though the WFP have also recently begun flying food in from Libya.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning Mr. Kofi Annan's complaint that the mainly Sudanese humanitarian aid workers in Darfur face constant harassment and interference.

Hilary Benn: I raised the issue of harassment of humanitarian aid workers with both the Government in Khartoum and with officials in Darfur during my visit to Sudan last week. In particular I raised the arrest of the head of mission and Darfur coordinator of Medecins sans Frontieres (Holland) following the publication of its report on rape and gender based violence in Darfur. I was given an assurance that the matter would be resolved.
	Harassment of humanitarian workers and organisations in Darfur is totally unacceptable. It represents a real threat to agencies ability to deliver life-saving assistance to the people who need it. I will continue to press the Government on this both directly and through the British embassy in Khartoum.

Tanzania

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to promote economic growth in Tanzania.

Hilary Benn: The main focus of our programme in Tanzania is to support the Government of Tanzania's own National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty. This places great importance on economic growth, which has averaged 5.4 per cent. (2.7 per cent. per capita) since 2000, as a means of reducing poverty. Last year DFID allocated £65 million directly to Government budgets to support the National Strategy and also to directly support a Tax Modernisation Programme (TMP) and Business Environment Strengthening Programme (BEST), both of which aim to improve the environment for stronger private sector-led growth. In addition, DFID is funding The Financial Sector Deepening programme which improves the access of small and micro-businesses to financial services.

UN Human Poverty Index

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the merits of the United Nations Development Programme human poverty index as a measure of poverty; and what account is taken of the human poverty index in the allocation of UK aid to Africa.

Hilary Benn: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human poverty index (HPI) is an internationally recognised measure of poverty. As such, the Department for International Development has not itself assessed its value but has taken account of the comparisons with other indexes, such as the UNDP human development index (HDI), which have been carried out by others. The HPI is considered a useful measure of deprivation.
	The HPI is not directly taken into account in the allocation of UK aid to Africa. The allocation model used takes account of gross national income per capita, progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and vulnerability to economic shock. However, as the HPI measures deprivation, there are of course indirect links between it and these factors. Factors that will affect the impact of aid, such as governance, are also taken into account when making country allocations.

TREASURY

Breast Cancer

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the incidence of breast cancer per 1,000 women has been in (a) England and (b) Hartlepool in each year since 1990.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Iain Wright, dated 20 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the incidence of breast cancer per 1,000 women has been in (a) England and (b) Hartlepool in each year since 1990. I am replying in his absence. (4331)
	The most recent available incidence figures are for the year 2002. Age-standardised incidence rates (directly standardised to the European standard population) per 100,000 females for female breast cancer in England and Hartlepool in each year since 1990 are given in the table below.
	
		Directly age-standardised incidence rates(4) (per 100,000 females) of female breast(5) cancer in England and Hartlepool Unitary Authority, 1990 to 2002
		
			  England Hartlepool 
		
		
			 1990 98.9 102.7 
			 1991 105.3 90.4 
			 1992 106.6 86.8 
			 1993 101.5 115.0 
			 1994 103.7 108.6 
			 1995 103.9 115.6 
			 1996 105.1 83.7 
			 1997 108.1 127.6 
			 1998 112.7 72.8 
			 1999 116.5 92.6 
			 2000 113.8 103.2 
			 2001 114.5 112.9 
			 2002 114.0 112.3 
		
	
	(4)Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population are directly standardised to the European standard population. In detailed analyses of trends in incidence and mortality over time for a particular cancer, ONS use age-standardised rates. These control for differences in the size and age structure of the population and allow unbiased comparison of rates over time.
	(5)From 1990 to 1994, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 174; from 1995 to 2002, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C50.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Carbon Capture

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the terms of reference are of his study of the economic viability of carbon capture and storage; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: As the Chancellor announced in the Budget, the Government are examining how they might support the development of carbon capture and storage in the Climate Change Programme Review, including the potential for new economic incentives. This assessment will consider the reliability and potential of CCS technology as a means of reducing carbon emissions, the barriers to its commercial deployment and the case for Government support through economic incentives. Carbon capture and storage will also be eligible for funding through the £25 million Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy that was launched by the Minister for Energy on 14 June.

Child Trust Funds

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many parents and carers in (a) the London borough of Haringey and (b) Hornsey and Wood Green constituency have been issued with Child Trust Fund vouchers; what the total value is of the vouchers issued up to 30 April; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many of the parents and carers in (a) the London borough of Haringey and (b) Hornsey and Wood Green constituency who received Child Trust Fund vouchers by 30 April he estimates have set up relevant savings accounts with them; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Information based on individual local authority or parliamentary constituency is only available at disproportionate cost.
	For available information on the number of vouchers issued and accounts opened I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 286–87. On the value of the vouchers which have been issued I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke) on 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 680W.

Child Trust Funds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of uptake by parents and carers in Strangford constituency of the Child Trust Fund has been since its introduction; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Information on Child Trust Fund voucher usage by parliamentary constituency is only available at disproportionate cost. UK-wide information is available and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 286–87W.

Civil Servants

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Gershon Report since his last statement to the House.

Des Browne: The OGC Efficiency Team is currently working with departments to assess progress on the Efficiency Programme, and an announcement will be made later in the year.

Civil Servants

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the civil servants he pledged to move from London to other parts of the United Kingdom in his last Budget have been relocated; and what the timetable is for further such relocations.

Des Browne: The Budget announced that over 4,300 posts overall would be moved out of London and the south-east by the end of 2004–05 and that Departments had agreed relocation plans for a further 3,500 posts, meaning that over 7,800 relocations had already been confirmed. Just over 4,600 posts have now been relocated from London and the south-east to other parts of the United Kingdom. The remainder of the original target of 20,000 is on course to be achieved by 2010.

EU Budget Contributions

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the contribution per capita of each member state of the European Union is to the total EU budget in the last year for which figures are available; and what the per capita receipts from disbursement of EU funds were in each country.

Ivan Lewis: The estimated contribution and receipts per capita of each member state for the last year for which figures are available, 2003, is as follows:
	
		€ per capita, 2003
		
			  Gross contribution before abatement Gross contribution after abatement Receipts Net contribution after abatement 
		
		
			 Belgium 308 336 408 -72 
			 Denmark 294 330 277 53 
			 Germany 227 233 129 104 
			 Greece 128 143 453 -310 
			 Spain 163 182 389 -207 
			 France 226 254 225 29 
			 Ireland 250 282 674 -391 
			 Italy 180 202 184 19 
			 Luxembourg 402 454 2,355 -1,902 
			 Netherlands 298 303 123 180 
			 Austria 231 237 193 44 
			 Portugal 110 124 457 -333 
			 Finland 227 257 258 -2 
			 Sweden 274 279 162 117 
			 United Kingdom 255 168 105 63

EU Budget Contributions

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value has been of the (a) gross contribution to the European Union budget and (b) net contribution after receiving subsidies and structural funds of (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) France and (iii) Germany expressed as (A) a percentage of the gross national product and (B) per head of population in each year since 1995.

Ivan Lewis: The estimated gross and net contribution for the United Kingdom, France and Germany as a percentage of gross national income and per capita in each year since 1995 are as follows. It should be noted that in line with ESA 95, gross national income has replaced gross national product.
	
		Percentage GNI
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Gross contribution before abatement 
			 Germany 1.12 1.08 1.13 1.06 1.05 1.06 0.90 0.82 0.88 
			 France 0.97 0.96 1.04 1.01 1.00 0.99 0.89 0.83 0.86 
			 United Kingdom 1.24 1.19 0.99 1.25 1.09 1.12 0.95 0.89 0.89 
			  
			 Gross contribution after abatement 
			 Germany 1.14 1.11 1.16 1.10 1.09 1.09 0.97 0.83 0.90 
			 France 1.00 1.02 1.09 1.07 1.06 1.05 1.00 0.93 0.96 
			 United Kingdom 1.07 0.88 0.77 1.00 0.83 0.90 0.49 0.60 0.58 
			  
			 Receipts 
			 Germany 0.43 0.55 0.56 0.55 0.52 0.52 0.51 0.55 0.50 
			 France 0.87 1.00 1.02 0.95 0.99 0.90 0.82 0.80 0.85 
			 United Kingdom 0.53 0.65 0.62 0.56 0.44 0.51 0.37 0.36 0.36 
			  
			 Net contribution with abatement 
			 Germany 0.71 0.56 0.60 0.54 0.57 0.57 0.46 0.28 0.40 
			 France 0.13 0.01 0.06 0.12 0.07 0.15 0.19 0.13 0.11 
			 United Kingdom 0.54 0.23 0.16 0.44 0.38 0.39 0.11 0.24 0.22 
		
	
	
		Euro per capita
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Gross contribution before abatement 
			 Germany 257 246 253 243 248 257 222 209 227 
			 France 199 202 217 220 225 233 216 213 226 
			 United Kingdom 185 192 196 269 250 295 256 256 255 
			  
			 Gross contribution after abatement 
			 Germany 261 253 259 251 257 265 240 213 233 
			 France 205 214 227 233 239 246 244 238 254 
			 United Kingdom 160 142 153 215 189 236 132 172 168 
			  
			 Receipts 
			 Germany 99 125 125 127 122 126 126 142 129 
			 France 179 212 213 206 224 211 199 205 225 
			 United Kingdom 80 105 122 120 101 135 101 105 105 
			  
			 Net contribution with abatement 
			 Germany 162 129 133 125 135 139 114 71 104 
			 France 27 2 13 26 15 35 46 32 29 
			 United Kingdom 80 36 31 95 88 102 31 68 63

G8 Summit

Colin Challen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost, including security costs, will be of staging the G8 Summit.

Des Browne: At this stage it is not known what the total cost of staging the G8 Summit will be.

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conditions are attached to his debt write-off proposals for the most heavily indebted poor countries; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I am pleased to announce that the G8 have agreed to complete the process of debt relief for the heavily indebted poor countries by providing additional development resources which will provide significant support for countries' efforts to reach the goals of the Millennium Declaration (MDGs), while ensuring that the financing capacity of the International Financial Institutions is not reduced.
	For International Development Association (IDA) and African Development Fund (AfDF) debt, 100 per cent. stock cancellation will be delivered by relieving post-Completion Point HIPCs that are on track with their programmes of repayment obligations.

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of conditional debt write-off on heavily indebted poor countries over the past three years.

Ivan Lewis: The experience of the last five years of the HIPC Initiative has shown that debt relief can be an extremely effective tool in support of poverty-alleviation. The debt burden of the world's poorest countries is being reduced by some US$70 billion dollars overtime, allowing the savings from debt relief to fund country-owned strategies aimed at reducing poverty. Poverty reducing expenditures in HIPCs have on average increased from 6.4 per cent. of GDP in 1999 to 7.9 per cent. of GDP in 2003, a level about three times that spent on debt service. These increases in expenditure are increasingly being reflected in improved outcomes in HIPCs themselves.

Inflation (Council Tax)

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the inflation rate has been in each year since the creation of the council tax.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. John Hemming, dated 20 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the inflation rate has been in each year since the creation of the council tax. I am replying in his absence. (4953)
	The attached table shows the annual average index and the corresponding percentage changes in the annual average index for the all items retail prices index (RPI) for the years 1993–2004 (council tax was introduced on 1st April 1993). The consumer prices index (CPI) which is the main domestic measure of inflation for macroeconomic purposes does not include council tax.
	This data is available on the National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk and through the House of Commons library.
	
		Retail prices index annual average indices and percentage changes (January 1987=100)
		
			  All items index Annual percentage change 
		
		
			 1993 140.7 1.6 
			 1994 144.1 2.4 
			 1995 149.1 3.5 
			 1996 152.7 2.4 
			 1997 157.5 3.1 
			 1998 162.9 3.4 
			 1999 165.4 1.5 
			 2000 170.3 3.0 
			 2001 173.3 1.8 
			 2002 176.2 1.7 
			 2003 181.3 2.9 
			 2004 186.7 3.0

Knauf UK GmbH

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Knauf UK GmbH in Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency will receive a certificate from the Inland Revenue Stamp Duty Land Tax Centre that its stamp duty has been paid.

Ivan Lewis: The rules of taxpayer confidentiality do not permit HM Revenue and Customs to disclose this information in published form, but I will write to the hon. Member.

Non-taxpayers

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are non-taxpayers; and how many people he estimates use form R85 which allows the payment of interest on accounts with banks and building societies to be paid free of income tax to non-taxpayers.

Dawn Primarolo: On the number of non-taxpayers, Irefer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 16 June. HM Revenue and Customs estimate that around 15 million people, including children under 16, use form R85.

Public Sector Debt

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change fiscal rules relating to the cap on public sector debt.

Ivan Lewis: The sustainable investment rule states that public sector net debt as a proportion of GDP will be held over the economic cycle at a stable and prudent level. Other things being equal, net debt will be maintained below 40 per cent. of GDP over the economic cycle.
	There are currently no plans to change the fiscal rules, however as noted in the Government's response to the TSC report on the 2004 pre-Budget report, the Government, of course, keep the fiscal framework under review to ensure it remains at the forefront of international best practice.

Race Relations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade.

John Healey: Race awareness is integral to Treasury's diversity training, which is mainstreamed into the management and employment learning and development for senior managers and all staff. The Treasury has held events on race to address learning needs and to role model the need to promote equality across all diversity strands. In 2003 presentations were given to all Treasury directorates on the duty to promote race equality. In 2004 a seminar 'Raising our Sights on Race' was conducted with the Treasury's Ethnic Minority Advisory Group to raise awareness with representatives across all directorates of duties under the Act and the experience of ethnic minority staff in the Department.
	In 2005 a Department-wide seminar involved all directorates in designing approaches to fulfil our obligations under the Act and meet our wider aspirations on diversity. The Treasury has also identified a need to provide a short summary of duties under the Act for new entrants.
	Ethnicity and grade data for staff attending training on the general and specific duties of the RRA are not currently available. The Treasury has, however, recently introduced a computerised learning management system which will automatically capture data on the ethnicity and grade profiles of staff who receive training in the future. These data will be made available annually on the race equality section of the Treasury's website from spring 2006.

Race Relations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of his Department comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

John Healey: The Treasury is the sole shareholder of the Bank of England and the Royal Mint, and the majority shareholder of Partnerships UK. The Bank is itself a listed public authority under the Act and has its own responsibilities under the General duty to promote race equality in all that it does. It is also bound by the employment duties under the Act in relation to its own staff but does not have a specific duty to publish a race equality scheme. The Royal Mint and Partnerships UK are not listed under the Act. In exercising its ownership duties the Treasury will ensure that race equality issues are considered where relevant.
	The Treasury has two agencies. The Office of Government Commerce has fully delegated accounting officer arrangements and will publish its own arrangements for meeting the duties under the Act. The Debt Management Office is covered by the Treasury's arrangements and the Treasury will ensure that when exercising its sponsorship duties race equality issues are considered where relevant.

Second World War

Phil Willis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the outstanding loan repayments due to the US Administration that arose as a result of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Financial Secretary gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 150W.

Tax Deductibility (Overseas Companies)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) commission payments and (b) consultancy fees paid by companies operating overseas are tax deductible under Inland Revenue rules.

Dawn Primarolo: Commission payments and consultancy fees made by UK companies operating overseas are deductible in computing taxable profits if (a) they are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of their businesses and (b) no other provision of the Corporation Tax Acts denies a deduction for the payments and fees concerned.

Testicular Cancer

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the incidence of testicular cancer per 1,000 men has been in (a) England and (b) Hartlepool in each year since 1990.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Iain Wright, dated 20 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the incidence of testicular cancer per 1,000 men has been in (a) England and (b) Hartlepool in each year since 1990. I am replying in his absence. (4330)
	The most recent available incidence figures are for the year 2002. Age-standardised incidence rates (directly standardised to the European standard population) per 100,000 males for testicular cancer in England in each year since 1990 are given in the attached table.
	The numbers of cases of testicular cancer in Hartlepool Unitary Authority in individual years are very small: over the whole period 1990–2002 there was a total of 30 such cases. The corresponding age-standardised incidence rate for this period is 5.3 per 100,000 males.
	
		Directly age-standardised incidence rates(6) (per 100,000 males) of testicular(7)cancer in England, 1990 to 2002
		
			  England 
		
		
			 1990 4.9 
			 1991 5.2 
			 1992 5.4 
			 1993 5.5 
			 1994 5.3 
			 1995 5.9 
			 1996 5.8 
			 1997 5.7 
			 1998 6.2 
			 1999 6.8 
			 2000 6.7 
			 2001 6.6 
			 2002 6.2 
		
	
	(6)Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population are directly standardised to the European standard population. In detailed analyses of trends in incidence and mortality over time for a particular cancer, ONS use age-standardised rates. These control for differences in the size and age structure of the population and allow unbiased comparison of rates over time.
	(7)From 1990 to 1994, international classification of diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9) code 186; from 1995 to 2002, international classification of diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) code C62.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

VAT (Religious Buildings)

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the 100 per cent. VAT refund on repairs to religious buildings beyond the three years pledged in his last Budget.

Ivan Lewis: The Chancellor has pledged funding for the listed places of worship VAT refund scheme until 2007–08 unless EU agreement on a reduced rate of VAT is achieved earlier.
	Decisions on spending allocations beyond 2008 will be made as part of next year's Spending Review.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Council Tax

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the take-up of council tax benefit in Wales.

Anne McGuire: There are 272 thousand active council tax benefit claims in Wales, with over 11 thousand in Wrexham. Data on the rate of council tax benefit take-up in Wales are not available as it is only produced for Great Britain as a whole.
	We are working with local authorities to make sure they have procedures in place locally to encourage people to apply for council tax benefit. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my colleague gave earlier.

Council Tax

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what meetings he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister in the past two weeks to discuss a revision of the regulations relating to pensioners paying council tax; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State has not had any meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister in the last two weeks to discuss pensioners and council tax.

Child Tax Credit

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the transfer to child tax credit of the remaining families with children in receipt of income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to my earlier reply.

Pensions Commission

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for how long he expects the consultation on the findings of the Pension Commission to last.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Igave earlier to his hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, East (Dr.Lewis).

Child Support Agency

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the timetable is for transferring old cases at the Child Support Agency to the new scheme.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to my earlier reply. We have asked Stephen Geraghty, the new Chief Executive to report to us in the summer when we will consider his findings and proposals for action.

Child Support Agency

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when Child Support Agency cases that pre-date the new system will be transferred onto the new system.

James Plaskitt: A new chief executive of the agency has recently taken up post. He will be reporting to Ministers over the summer on proposals to improve the agency's performance.
	We will make a decision on the transfer of old scheme cases only once we are confident that the system and business processes are robust.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed at the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997–98; what the projected numbers are for each year to 2006–07; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. David Laws, dated 20 June 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff were employed at the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997–98; what the projected numbers are for each year to 2006–07; and if he will make a statement.
	The table below shows actual staff numbers for the Child Support Agency for the period 1997–98 to 2004–05.
	The table reflects whole time equivalent employees and is consistent with that shown in the Annual Report and Accounts.
	
		
			  Actual staff 
		
		
			 1997–98 8,445 
			 1998–99 8,156 
			 1999–2000 8,545 
			 2000–01 9,187 
			 2001–02 9,471 
			 2002–03 10,287 
			 2003–04 10,215 
			 2004–05 9,750 
		
	
	The Agency is planning to employ 9,561 staff in March 2006 and March 2007. This is equivalent to 9,388 staff excluding those on unpaid absences, and is in line with the staffing levels agreed with Ministers.

Youth Unemployment

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people are economically inactive.

Margaret Hodge: There are currently 2.1 million under 25s who are classified as economically inactive, two thirds of whom are in full-time education. Of the remaining 695,000, many will be participating in part-time study or receiving support from either the Connexions Service or Jobcentre Plus.

Incapacity Benefit Claimants

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of whether people with mental health problems will be affected by the planned reform of the incapacity benefit system.

Anne McGuire: In developing our proposals for the reform of incapacity benefit we will continue our extensive consultation to ensure that people with mental health problems receive the right support.
	The Pathways to Work pilots have drawn on the commitment and expertise from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to give people the help they need.

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints have been received regarding the introduction of Direct Payment for the payment of pensions and benefits.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However independent research has shown that there are very high levels of satisfaction among customers who have transferred to Direct Payment with 93 per cent. of customers stating they were happy to receive their benefits in this way.
	Modernising a system, which came in with ration books, caused understandable concerns, but this research has shown that the new system is proving popular. More customers now have accounts and over 12 million payments each week are now paid into customer's nominated accounts.

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) information and (b) training has been given to Post Office staff about the exceptions scheme for people who are unable to use Post Office Card Accounts or basic bank accounts to receive their pensions or benefits.

James Plaskitt: The small minority of people who are unable to use Post Office Card Accounts or basic bank accounts to receive their pensions or benefits are paid by cheque.
	The cheque (formerly girocheque) is a well established method of payment and Post Office staff were already very familiar with the general processes and procedures surrounding encashment at a Post Office.
	Training for Post Office staff is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. However, Post Office Ltd. were given information about changes to the cheque design and crossing limit introduced in October 2004 which they communicated to their network of branches throughout GB and Northern Ireland by means of an internal 'Operational Focus' publication.
	Customers who ask Post Office staff about benefit payments are advised to contact the DWP office dealing with their claim where they will be given all the advice, information and support they need.

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what steps the (a) Benefits Agency and (b) Pensions Agency have taken to publicise the availability of the exceptions scheme for people who are unable to use Post Office card accounts or basic bank accounts to receive their pensions or benefits;
	(2)  through what mechanisms benefit and pension recipients may inform his Department that the Direct Payment option of the payment of benefits and pensions is not suitable for their needs.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 117W.

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates were made prior to the introduction of Direct Payment of the proportion of people for whom this method of paying pensions and benefits would be unsuitable; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: During the Spending Review 2000, a public service agreement target was set at paying 85 per cent. of benefit and pension customers into an account by the end of 2005. We met that target by January 2005 and are now paying over 96 per cent. of customer accounts by Direct Payment.
	We always recognised however that there would be a small number of customers who we could not pay into an account and the cheque service was designed to pay these customers.
	As at April 2005 we were paying some 712,000 customers by cheque.

Child Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children were classified as living in poverty in each year from 1979–80 to 2005–06; what targets have been set for each year to 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: In the mid to late 1990s, the UK suffered higher child poverty than nearly all other industrialised nations. Over the previous 20 years, the proportion of children in relative low-income households had more than doubled. As our first step towards eradicating this problem, we set an aim to reduce the number of children living in relative low-income households by a quarter by 2004–05. The data for this period will be released in 2006.
	The PSA target set in the 2004 Spending Review is to halve the number of children in relative low-income households between 1998–99 and 2010–11, on the way to eradicating child poverty in 2020. As part of this, the Government will set an additional target in the 2006 Spending Review to halve by 2010 the numbers of children suffering a combination of material deprivation and relative low income.
	The following table sets out both the percentage and the number of children living in households with an income of below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median, since 1997, which is most commonly used in reporting trends.
	
		Percentage and number of children living in households with income less than 60 per cent. of median
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
			  Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage 
		
		
			 1979 1.7 12 1.9 14 
			 1981 2.4 18 2.7 20 
			 1987 2.6 21 3.1 25 
			 1988–89 2.9 23 3.3 26 
			 1990–91 3.2 26 3.9 31 
			 1991–92 3.4 27 4.1 32 
			 1992–93 3.5 27 4.3 33 
			 1993–94 3.3 25 4.2 32 
			 1994–95 3.2 24 4.2 32 
			 1995–96 3.5 26 4.6 35 
		
	
	
		Percentage and number of children living in households with income less than 60 per cent. of median
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
			  Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage 
		
		
			 1994–95 2.9 23 4.0 31 
			 1995–96 2.8 22 4.0 31 
			 1996–97 3.2 25 4.2 33 
			 1997–98 3.1 25 4.1 32 
			 1998–99 3.1 24 4.1 33 
			 1999–2000 3.0 23 4.1 32 
			 2000–01 2.7 21 3.8 30 
			 2001–02 2.6 21 3.7 30 
			 2002–03 2.6 21 3.6 28 
			 2003–04 2.6 21 3.5 28 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Family Expenditure Survey (FES) figures are for the United Kingdom, Family Resources Survey (FRS) figures are for Great Britain.
	2.The reference period for FRS figures is single financial years.
	3.FES figures are single calendar years from 1979–87, two combined calendar years from 1998–89—1992–93 and two financial years combined from 1993–94—1995–96.
	4.Figures are based on the new grossing regime to give more accurate results, particularly at a regional level, and to scale to updated population estimates.
	5.All publications listed are available in the Library.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (GB)

Disability Allowance

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people have been registered for disability allowance in East Devon in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the table.
	
		East Devon parliamentary constituency
		
			  As at February: Number in receipt of disability living allowance 
		
		
			 2001 2,100 
			 2002 2,200 
			 2003 2,400 
			 2004 2,600 
			 2005 2,800 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample as at the end of February for each year.
	2.Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	3.From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.
	4.Only cases in payment have been included.
	Source:
	Information Centre

Health and Safety Executive

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received about the Complaints Panel that investigates complaints about the Health and Safety Executive; how many investigations the panel has looked at in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: We have received no representations about the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Complaints Panel.
	HSE's Open Government Complaints Panel has investigated two appeals within the last two years. Further representations have been made to HSE about the panel's decision in one of these cases.

Housing Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many private tenants are in receipt of housing benefit; and what estimate he has made of the cost of housing benefit for private tenants in 2005–06, broken down by local authority.

James Plaskitt: Information about the number of private tenants in receipt of housing benefit, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the Library.
	No estimate is available for the cost of housing benefit broken down by local authority for 2005–06.

In-work Credit

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the pilot of in-work credit to lone parents seeking work in Leeds; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: We are currently testing the effectiveness of the £40 per week In-Work Credit in a range of areas across the country and, from October 2005, in a further six areas across the south-east.
	The aim of the pilot is to gather evidence about the proportion of lone parents taking up the Credit and the Work Search Premium, and the impact in terms of supporting more lone parents to move off benefit and into work. There is strong evidence, from the evaluation of New Deal for Lone Parents, that nearly all lone parents would be more positive about considering work if the gains were over £40 per week.
	The Leeds pilot began in October 2004 and preliminary analysis of administrative data shows that in the four months to January 2005, 280 payments to lone parents had been recorded.
	It is too early in the life of the pilot to make an assessment. DWP has commissioned a wide ranging programme of evaluation, using independent experts to carefully assess the pilots overall. The evaluation programme includes both an impact assessment and qualitative research. The findings from the qualitative research are due to be published in autumn 2007. The first impact assessment report that will assess the pilots that started in October 2004 is due to be published in spring 2007.

Pathways to Work

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the cost of the return to work credit within the Pathways to Work pilots in each month since its introduction; and what proportion of people who have found work through Pathways to Work have received the credit.

Margaret Hodge: To the end of January 2005, 62.3 per cent. of those who found work through the Pathways to Work pilots received the Return To Work Credit.
	Information on the actual cost each month is not available. Information on the estimated cost committed in each month is in the following table.
	
		Estimated monthly commitment of the return to work credit within the pathways to work pilots
		
			 Period Cost (£) 
		
		
			 27 October 2003 to January 2004 1,090,320 
			 February 2004 381,360 
			 March 2004 601,440 
			 April 2004 687,120 
			 May 2004 801,360 
			 June 2004 969,360 
			 July 2004 1,019,760 
			 August 2004 1,270,080 
			 September 2004 1 ,349,040 
			 October 2004 1,411,200 
			 November 2004 1,464,960 
			 December 2004 438,480 
			 January 2005 866,880 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP Pathways evaluation data

Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the UK were living in absolute poverty during the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by (a) pensioners, (b) unemployed, (c) disabled and (d) others; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Poverty is about more than low income, it is also about health, housing and the quality of environment.
	Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in 'Households Below Average Income 1994–95—2003–04'. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	The information is in the following table.
	
		The number of individuals living in households with income less than the 60 per cent. of 1996–97 (GB) median income held constant in real terms, in 1996–97 and 2003–04
		
			  Great Britain 1996–97 Great Britain 2003–04 United Kingdom 2003–04 
		
		
			 Before housing costs
			 Pensioners 2,200,000 1,100,000 1,200,000 
			 In an unemployed family 1,800,000 700,000 700,000 
			 In a family with at least one disabled adult 2,900,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 
			 Others 4,600,000 2,800,000 2,800,000 
			 
			 After housing costs
			 Pensioners 2,800,000 900,000 900,000 
			 In an unemployed family 2,200,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 
			 In a family with at least one disabled adult 3,900,000 2,200,000 2,200,000 
			 Others 6,500,000 4,100,000 4,200,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Rows presented in the table are not mutually exclusive, for example an individual could be a pensioner and disabled.
	2.'Unemployed' describes a workless family where either the head, or spouse, is looking for work.
	3.Disability is defined in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.
	4.Figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.
	5.Figures in the first two columns are for Great Britain and figures in the third column are for the United Kingdom.
	6.1996–97 figures are provided for comparison on a GB level along with consistent estimates for 2003–04. UK data for 1996–97 are not available as the Family Resources Survey was only extended to cover Northern Ireland in April 2002.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS), 2003–04

Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of children in the UK were living in poverty in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004; what research he has collated on rates in other developed countries; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in the latest publication of the 'Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2003–04'. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	The information is in the table.
	
		Children living in households with income less than 60 per cent. of median income
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
			  Million Percentage Million Percentage 
		
		
			 Great Britain   
			 1996–97 3.2 25 4.2 33 
			 2003–04 2.6 21 3.5 28 
			  
			 United Kingdom  
			 2003–04 2.7 20 3.6 28 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are presented for Great Britain and the United Kingdom as figures for the UK are only available from 2002–03 onwards.
	2.International comparisons are important because the Government aspire to be among the very best performers in Europe on child poverty—competing with the record of countries such as Sweden and Denmark. A focus on income before housing costs, as adopted in our spending review 2004 target, supports this as these are used across other European Union countries.
	3.Measuring child poverty", published in December 2003, compares findings with our European Union counterparts. It showed that the UK had the highest child poverty rate in Europe in 1999 (29 per cent.), but according to latest data for 2003, we are now closer to the EU average of (23 per cent.). European comparisons are made using data from the European Household Panel Study, and are not comparable with figures using the Family Resources Survey.
	4.By 2020, we want to be comparable to the very best countries in the world. Where the UK had a child poverty rate on the UNICEF measure of 15.4 per cent. in 2004, Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) had rates of less than 5 per cent.
	5.All publications listed are available in the Library.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey

Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of children living in poverty in the UK are living in a single parent household; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in 'Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2003–04', which is available in the Library.
	The threshold most commonly used in reporting trends in low income is 60 per cent. of contemporary median income. According to the latest data, in 2003–04, of those children living in households below this threshold, 38 per cent. were in a lone parent family when using a before housing costs measure and 42 per cent. when using an after housing costs measure.

Social Fund Pilot (Wales)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what conclusions he has drawn from the recent pilot in Wales of a new operating model for the Social Fund.

James Plaskitt: The pilot of the Social Fund Standard Operating Model began in December 2004 in Newport and Caerphilly and is currently being evaluated.

Sure Start

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what conditions the Sure Start maternity grant is paid; how many grants were paid out in each Government office region in each year since the start of the scheme; how much was paid out in total; and for what proportion of births it was paid.

James Plaskitt: Sure Start maternity grant is payable to people, or partners of people, awarded income support, pension credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance, working tax credit (where the disability or severe disability element is included in the award) or child tax credit (where it is payable at a rate higher than the family element).
	A claim may be made from the 29th week of pregnancy and up to three months after the baby is born. Claimants must have received advice from a health professional on the health and welfare needs of the child and, where a claim is made during pregnancy, maternal health.
	The Sure Start maternity grant is also payable following adoption as long as the baby is not more than 12 months old and following the granting of a parental order in respect of a surrogate birth.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		Sure Start maternity grants by region for 2004–05
		
			 Government office region Number of awards 
		
		
			 East of England 15,900 
			 East Midlands 16,900 
			 London 35,300 
			 North East 12,800 
			 North West 34,200 
			 Scotland 19,100 
			 South East 20,300 
			 South West 16,300 
			 Wales 13,400 
			 West Midlands 26,600 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 25,300 
		
	
	
		Sure Start maternity grants for Great Britain
		
			  Number of awards Expenditure (£ million) Approximate percentage of births for which a grant was paid 
		
		
			 2000–01 170,300 42.4 26 
			 2001–02 201,400 61.2 32 
			 2002–03 232,400 110.5 36 
			 2003–04 237,800 120.4 (8)— 
			 2004–05 235,900 119.4 (8)— 
		
	
	(8)Not yet available
	Notes:
	1.Sure Start Maternity Grants were introduced on 27 March 2000. The change from Maternity Payments was phased in gradually, with Sure Start Maternity Grants being available to claimants whose babies were expected, born, adopted or the subject of a parental order on or after 11 June 2000.
	2.Data by Government office region (GOR) are not available for 2002–03 or 2003–04. Prior to 2002–03 a different district structure was in use.
	3.Sure Start Maternity Grant awards are recorded in the GOR where they are administered. In 2004–05, a small area of the East Midlands GOR was administered for social fund purposes from a district within the North West GOR.
	4.For a multiple birth, only one Sure Start Maternity Grant is awarded (with a payment being made for each baby). In the general population, the number of maternities resulting in twins is about 15 per 1,000 maternities (and triplets and higher order multiple births can be ignored). The number of babies for whom a Sure Start Maternity Grant was paid was estimated using this figure.
	5.A claim for a Sure Start Maternity Grant can be made from the 29th week of pregnancy and up to three months after the baby is born. A grant paid in one year can therefore be for a birth in a different year.
	6.The approximate percentage of births in a year for which a grant was paid is calculated as 100 x (the number of babies for whom a grant was paid in that year)/(the number of births in that year).
	7.Numbers of awards are rounded to the nearest 100, expenditure to the nearest £0.1 million and the approximate percentage of births for which a grant was paid to the nearest whole number.
	8.For 2004–05, the sum of the number of awards by GOR differs slightly from that for Great Britain due to rounding.
	Sources:
	Data on Sure Start Maternity Grants/Maternity Payments: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.
	Data on births: Office for National Statistics.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Concessionary TV Licences

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households in Hornsey and Wood Green constituency are in receipt of the free television licence for over-75s.

James Purnell: TV Licensing, who administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over receiving the winter fuel payment in the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency in 2004–05 was approximately 4,025, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

Historic Rail Bridges

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Department's policy is on seeking UNESCO status for historic rail bridges.

David Lammy: For a site to be considered for inscription under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, it must first be included on a national tentative list of sites likely to be put forward by a State Party in future years. Railway structures were considered when the UK tentative list was revised in 1999 and the Forth Rail Bridge and the Great Western Railway were selected for inclusion.

Libraries (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed on average in each library in London in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: This information is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the number of library staff in post across London as a whole for the past 5 years 1 . This information is drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Public Library Statistics Actuals. The CIPFA statistics show totals for individual library authorities. Copies are held in the House Library.
	1 Rounded to the nearest whole number.
	
		
			  Professional posts All other posts Total 
		
		
			 1999–2000 1,189 2,691 3,880 
			 2000–01 1,156 2,681 3,837 
			 2001–02 1,143 2,691 3,834 
			 2002–03 1,111 2,824 3,935 
			 2003–04 1,089 2,705 3,794

Libraries (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many hours on average public libraries in each local authority in London were open in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The table shows for all authorities across inner and outer London the aggregated average number of opening hours per week for the last five years available. This information is drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Public Library Statistics Actuals. The CIPFA statistics show figures for individual library authorities. Copies are held in the House Library.
	
		
			  Hours 
			  60 and over 45–59 30–44 10–29 Less than 10 
		
		
			 1999–2000 4 110 166 89 0 
			 2000–01 10 108 163 83 0 
			 2001–02 12 121 160 72 0 
			 2002–03 17 139 149 56 1 
			 2003–04 12 169 131 53 0

Licensing (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications were made for licences to sell alcohol in each London borough in each month since June 2004.

James Purnell: This information is not available to my Department.
	Statistical data on applications for licences to sell alcohol have traditionally been collected at three yearly intervals (for the last year of each period) using statistics collated by court or petty session division rather than by borough or other local authority area.
	The last exercise conducted was for the period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004. As figures are not broken down by month it would not be possible to provide information on liquor licences from each petty sessional area in London for June 2004 without incurring disproportionate costs and no statistics are available from July 2004 onwards.
	After the Licensing Act 2003 is fully implemented on 24 November, my Department will consider the adequacy of the present arrangements for collecting and collating central licensing statistics.

Licensing (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of licences to sell alcohol has been transferred to local authority licences in (a) each London borough and (b) London.

James Purnell: My Department does not hold this information, which is not collected centrally.
	Licensing authorities, which are in the main local authorities, are responsible for dealing with applications for converting existing justices' licences for the sale of alcohol into premises licences and club premises certificates. Licensing authorities are also fully responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime, and for collating information on applications received and dealt with.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

3G Mobile Phone Masts

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money was raised by the Exchequer in auctioning 3G mobile phone mast licences.

Alun Michael: In April 2000 the Radiocommunications Agency raised £22.478 billion from an auction of five licences for radio spectrum to support the third generation of mobile telephones.
	Further details can be found in the National Audit Office report 'The Auction of Radio Spectrum for the Third Generation of Mobile Telephones', published October 2001.

Carbon Capture Technology

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of installing carbon capture technology in the UK's coal-fired power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: The cost of fitting carbon capture technology to coal-fired plant is estimated to be between £600 and £700 per kWt of installed capacity.

Carbon Capture Technology

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assess carbon capture technology for the UK's coal-fired power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government plans are set out in the Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy for Fossil Fuel Use announced on 14 June 2005 and which is available in the Libraries of the House.

Carbon Capture Technology

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee on the underwriting of the cost of carbon capture technology being fitted to coal-fired power stations in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government will be responding to the committee's report shortly. The Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy for Fossil Fuel Use, announced on 14 June 2005, will examine possible measures to encourage the initial commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies in the UK.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what safeguards have been put in place to protect the interests of his Department when a senior Irisc employee leaves to take up employment with a solicitor or claims handler.

Malcolm Wicks: No such safeguards have been put in place.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Minister signed the (a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease agreements on mining compensation with the claimants' solicitors group; and on what date.

Malcolm Wicks: Both agreements were signed by Nabarro Nathanson solicitors on behalf of the Department. The vibration white finger agreement was signed on 24 January 1999 and the respiratory disease agreement was signed on 22 September 1999.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 70W, on Coal Health Claims, on what date in 1999 the Minister for Energy and Industry approved in writing the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease agreement with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers.

Malcolm Wicks: Ministerial approval for agreeing separate negotiations for the claims handling arrangements for respiratory disease with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) was given in December 1998. The terms of compensation are the same as for the Claims Handling Agreement with the claimants' solicitors group. Ministerial approval for signing the UDM agreement was given in November 1999.

Departmental Name

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the proposal to change the name of his Department cost in terms of (a) signage, (b) stationery and (c) literature.

Alan Johnson: Preliminary work was undertaken to meet the name change of the Department at an overall cost of £14,500. This was broken down into:
	(a) Signage £7,500
	(b) Design changes to stationery templates £4,000
	(c) Literature including web site changes £3,000

Departmental Name

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost was of (a) changing the title of the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department for Productivity, Energy and Industry and (b) reverting to the original title.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 9 June 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 304W.

Electricity Generation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of dispatchable electricity generation constituting the United Kingdom's electrical power portfolio he estimates will be obsolete by the year 2020; and what steps he is taking to encourage its replacement.

Malcolm Wicks: The DTI's latest energy projections (http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep_addendum.pdf for information to 2020 and http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep2004.pdf for more detailed information for 2010) indicate that around 40 per cent. of current generating capacity may close by 2020. There are significant uncertainties attached to this estimate. Generating plants do not have fixed lifetimes and worldwide experience shows that significant increases in plant lifetime can be achieved through various means.
	It is a matter for market participants to decide whenand to what extent new generating capacity is constructed or existing capacity is refurbished with a view to prolonging lifetimes.

Electricity Generation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the proportion of the projected electrical generation fleet in 2020 that will be (a) gas-fired, (b) coal-fired, (c) nuclear powered, (d) oil fired and (e) powered by other sources.

Malcolm Wicks: Consistent with the most recent published projections http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep_addendum.pdf) estimated shares of generating capacity in 2020 are: gas 61 per cent. coal 13 per cent. nuclear 5 per cent. oil 2 per cent. and other 19 per cent.
	Further information on energy projections is also available at the following website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep2004.pdf

Mail Trains

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the reintroduction of mail trains; and on which routes they have been reintroduced.

Barry Gardiner: Decisions about Royal Mail's transport network are an operational matter for the company's board. The Government welcome Royal Mail's decision to reintroduce some rail use as part of its transport infrastructure.
	I understand that Royal Mail has entered into a contract with GB Railfreight to provide services between London and Scotland. The chief executive has been asked to reply direct to the hon. Member with more details.

MG Rover

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance is available to companies supplying MG Rover who are not located in the West Midlands; what assessment has been made of claims of retention of title made by Rover suppliers in respect of stock supplied to Rover; and what assistance is planned to be given to companies with such claims.

Ian Pearson: The support package for MG Rover suppliers was announced on 8 April 2005 and is available nationally, not just to those companies located within West Midlands. The assistance available includes short-term support for the wage costs of affected employees, loan finance for working capital and help with business planning. These services can be accessed via the Rover taskforce's supplier help line on 0121 607 0121. Details are also available at http://www.rover-response.info.
	It is for individual companies to pursue retention of title claims with the administrators of MG Rover and Powertrain. Several suppliers have done this successfully. The Government have made no assessment of retention of title claims and there are no plans to do so.
	In order for suppliers with valid claims to recover their property, it is necessary for the MG Rover distribution centre to be staffed and kept open. The cost is significant and the activity is of no benefit to MG Rover's creditors. The administrators are therefore unwilling to fund it and the Department, through the Rover taskforce, have agreed to meet the cost for a limited period so as to assist suppliers to reclaim their stock of components. This facility will be made available up to 23 June 2005.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what time on Thursday 7 April the former Secretary of State were informed that MG Rover would be entering administration; in what way he was given that information; and by whom.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State received a telephone call from John Towers at 8.30 pm London time on April 7 informing her that MGR Directors had met and agreed to call in administrators and would be making a statement.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the additional costs, in p/kWh, which would be added to the price of electricity generated by nuclear power were full liability insurance to be required in respect of such generation.

Malcolm Wicks: It is most unlikely that unlimited liability insurance would be commercially available for such damage. No estimate of the cost has therefore been made.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of electricity generated by nuclear power, in p/kWh, attributable to the costs of decommissioning liabilities.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not make estimates of the share of generation costs attributable to decommissioning liabilities.
	British Energy makes payments into the Nuclear Liabilities Fund, which is underwritten by HMG, for the eventual decommissioning of its nuclear plant. Magnox decommissioning is part of the NDA's remit and incorporated in its planning process. Such proposals are set out in its annual plan for 2005–06. The plan for 2005–06 is available at the NDA website at www.nda.gov.uk.

Nuclear Power

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation of section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 in relation to the building and extension of nuclear generation power stations in Scotland.

Malcolm Wicks: Significant development of any power station in Scotland, including all new plant above 50MW, requires consent from Scottish Executive Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Radioactive Leak (Thorp)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the leak of radioactive material from the Thorp Plant in August 2004 was not noticed until April 2005; how much radioactive material escaped during this period; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The operator of THORP, British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd., identified the leakage of liquid on 19 April 2005 when a CCTV camera was introduced into the heavily shielded feed clarification cell in the THORP Head End Plant. Around 83 cubic metres of radioactive liquid had escaped from the cell into a fully enclosed stainless steel cell designed to safely contain such leakages. There has been no release of radioactivity from THORP and BNGSL is working to recover the liquid in a safe and controlled manner.
	The results of British Nuclear Group's investigation suggests that the pipe may have started to fail in August 2004 and that complete failure of the pipe may have occurred in mid-January 2005. Opportunities such as cell sampling and level measurements were missed which would have shown that the material was escaping to secondary containment. BNG's investigation has made recommendations to improve the maintenance, testing and reliability of cell instrumentation and other systems that give indications of plant abnormality. BNG has acknowledged that the indications that the pipe was leaking were not acted upon quickly enough.
	A separate independent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is considering both technical issues and broader safety culture and management of nuclear safety issues, and this will provide the basis for any subsequent enforcement actions.

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of meeting the renewables obligation per tonne of carbon dioxide saved under the 2010 renewables target.

Malcolm Wicks: The National Audit Report on Renewable Energy published in February this year estimated the figure for the cost of carbon dioxide saved by reaching the renewables obligation target would equate to £70 per tonne.

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions that would be saved by successful attainment of the 2010 renewables target; and what proportion of total (a) UK and (b) world carbon dioxide emissions the quantity saved would constitute.

Malcolm Wicks: Providing 10 per cent. of electricity consumption from renewable energy would save about 2.5 million tonnes of carbon per year in 2010 if the equivalent were generated from gas. This equates to a saving of 1.5 per cent. on 1990 emission levels. The reduction is expected to be about 0.02 per cent. of projected world emissions in 2010.

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's latest estimate is of the reduction in global temperature increase that would be achieved from successful attainment of the Government's 2010 renewables target.

Malcolm Wicks: The reduction in global temperatures achieved by successful attainment of the Government's renewables target is not directly calculable. The target forms part of an overall package of policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions which, along with the actions taken by other countries, is intended to avoid dangerous climate change.

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantity of carbon dioxide he estimates will be saved per mega watt hour of electricity generated from (a) wind and (b) landfill gas for each year until 2010.

Malcolm Wicks: The level of carbon emissions saved from generation through wind or landfill gas depends on the assumption made about the alternative generation displaced. The emissions factors associated with coal and gas-fired generation are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Generating station displaced Emissions saving per megawatt hour (grammes of carbon) 
		
		
			 Existing coal 0.247 
			 Existing gas 0.111 
			 New gas 0.1 
		
	
	Note:
	To convert from carbon to carbon dioxide multiply by 44/12

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's 2010 target for renewable electricity is; which sources of generation are eligible to constitute that target; and whether the target refers to (a) total electricity generated and (b) amount supplied to final consumers.

Malcolm Wicks: We have set a target of 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity supply to be generated from renewable sources eligible under the Renewables Obligation by 2010 with the aspiration to increase that contribution to 20 per cent. by 2020.
	All sources of renewables are eligible under the Renewables Obligation with the exception of large-scale Hydro (over 20 MW DNC) and energy from waste incineration (that does not use advanced Conversion Techniques).

Renewables Target

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of capacity credit is assigned by his Department to non-dispatchable renewables in 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: Decisions as to the fuel choice for new capacity are a matter which we believe is best left to the market, where investors are well placed to assess the available information about the level and accessibility of remaining global reserves.
	We would expect the market to continue to anticipate, and respond to, the need to replace that capacity.

Royal Mail (Recorded Deliveries)

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for how long Royal Mail is obliged to keep records of recorded deliveries despatched to residential customers.

Barry Gardiner: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. The Chief Executive has been asked to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

CABINET OFFICE

London Olympic Bid

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what dates the Cabinet Committee on the London Olympic Bid has met in the last two years and who attended each meeting.

John Hutton: Although the Government publish the title, membership and terms of reference of cabinet committees, it has been the practice of successive governments not to disclose details of their proceedings, including the dates they meet.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Building Repair

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the sum allocated for the renovation of further education colleges in the last Budget has been spent.

Bill Rammell: The £1.5 billion budget covers the years 2005–06 to 2009–10. The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for providing capital grant support towards the costs of colleges' capital investment programmes. In the year ending 31 April 2006 it should incur expenditure of £183 million on further education and 16–19 capital projects of which £37 million had been paid to the end of May. The LSC estimates that its capital expenditure in the full year should trigger over £600 million of investment by colleges.

Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures have been taken to improve facilities for schools to respond to the needs of young carers in the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The Government's National Strategy for Carers Caring for Carers" set specific commitments to improve support for young carers. The strategy recognises schools as playing a key role in identifying young carers.
	The Department promotes awareness of young carers' needs through specific references in personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship curriculum frameworks; the standards for qualified teacher status; and departmental bullying guidance.
	The DfES Standards Fund Vulnerable Children Grant was introduced in the 2003–04 financial year to help local education authorities to ensure that vulnerable children have access to high quality education. Young carers are one of the eight key groups that the grant is designed to help. The grant was worth a total of £84 million, on a matched funding basis, in the financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05. £84 million is also available in the current financial year 2005–06. It is for local authorities to decide how to use the grant.

Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are benefiting from the carers special grant.

Maria Eagle: The carers grant was introduced in 1999 and since then has provided an extra £450 million over the past five years, to increase the number of breaks for carers. The grant is worth £185 million in the current financial year, and will continue at this level until the financial year 2007–08 at least. Of this amount, 20 per cent. has been earmarked at a national level each year for children's services, including young carers. Information is not collected centrally about the numbers of children benefiting from the grant.

Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of child carers who care for a relative with a mental illness;
	(2)  how many assessments of carer needs have been carried out, broken down by carer age groups, since the introduction of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the number of young carers;
	(4)  what percentage of young carers have been assessed for their ability to provide for the person they care for.

Maria Eagle: Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities with responsibilities for children's social services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need in their area, through the provision of services appropriate to the needs of such children, and as far as is consistent with this, to promote the upbringing of children within their families.
	The Department for Education and Skills does not collect information on assessments made by local authorities under the 1989 Children Act, in specific relation to the numbers of children in need who are young carers, or about those who are young carers because their parents have mental health problems. Neither does the Department collect information about young carers' ability to provide for the person they care for. The 2001 census recorded a total of 149,942 young carers aged 17 and under.
	The following table shows the estimated number of carer assessments and reviews, from 2000–01 to 2003–04 inclusive, made principally under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000.
	It is not possible to disaggregate the figures for the under 18 category.
	
		Number of carers assessed or reviewed: England
		
			  All ages Under 18 18–64 65–74 75 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 2000–01 194,900 1,500 41,800 16,800 25,200 109,400 
			 2001–02 242,800 2,900 75,600 30,200 55,200 79,000 
			 2002–03 286,900 6,400 99,100 39,600 72,700 69,100 
			 2003–04(9) 350,400 7,900 135,200 53,300 100,200 53,800 
		
	
	(9)The carers return was defined in 2003–04 to include carers assessed or reviewed.
	Note:
	Data for previous years refer to assessments only.

Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when Ministers from her Department last met representatives from young carers' organisations.

Maria Eagle: Lord Filkin, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, met with young people from the Children's Society Young Carers Initiative in January.

Connexions Service

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the Connexions Service.

Maria Eagle: Proposals for Connexions and the future delivery of services for 13 to 19-year-olds will be set out in a Youth Green Paper which we intend to publish in due course.

EU Students

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  under what circumstances higher education institutions in England would be obliged to award financial support for maintenance purposes to EU students if the support is fee-related from 2006;
	(2)  whether there are circumstances in which the termsused to describe bursary or financial support would make higher education institutions in England liable to make support available to EU students from 2006.

Bill Rammell: My Department does not give advice on the legal obligations of higher education institutions in running their affairs. Institutions take their own decisions on what bursaries or financial support they offer to their students, and are responsible for remaining within the law.

Every Child Matters

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which of the agencies her Department funds have the responsibility under Every Child Matters to break the link between social exclusion and behavioural problems of children in early years education.

Beverley Hughes: The Sure Start, Extended Schools and Families Group in the Department has the responsibility for delivering the Every Child Matters Change for Children Programme in relation to children in their early years. The aim is to create a joined-up system of health, family support, child care and education services so that every child gets the best start in life. The planned development of 3,500 Sure Start children's centres by 2010 will be a key part of this, enabling early identification of potential problems for the child and providing families with appropriate support they need.
	Research evidence, such as the Department's Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) study, shows a link between social deprivation and the risk of poor social and behavioural development in the early years. It is also known from research that quality pre-school education and child care, and the importance of the home environment have a positive effect on children's social and emotional development in the early years and into primary school.
	To respond to this research we are funding a number of programmes to raise the quality of early years education. All providers of Government funded early education for children aged three to five are required to provide the Foundation Stage part of the National Curriculum. Personal, social and emotional development is a key area of learning and children are supported to understand what is right, what is wrong and why; and to consider the consequences of their words and actions for themselves and others. The Foundation Stage guidance indicates that practitioners should involve children in agreeing codes of behaviour and taking responsibility for their implementation.
	The Department has appointed the Institute of Psychology, King's College London to develop a training programme to support practitioners on young children's personal social and emotional development to support the Birth to Three Matters and Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage documents. The materials will help providers support children develop respect for others, social competence and a positive disposition to learn.
	The Department's Parental Community Support Project aims to support parents in supporting their children's early learning and development—improving educational, health, social and emotional outcomes for children in 500 communities. The project will identify and disseminate existing effective practice in engaging with parents, creating effective intervention models to increase parents' engagement with their children's early learning, and creating effective links between local settings and parents. A key part of the project will be to train front line staff working with children and parents.
	In recognition of the importance of young children starting to develop good social skills in their earliest years of life the Department has a PSA target to improve children's communication, social and emotional development and to reduce inequalities between the level of development achieved by children in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged areas and the rest of England.

Every Child Matters

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of (a) the effectiveness of On Track and (b) its incorporation into the Children's Fund within the Every Child Matters strategy.

Beverley Hughes: The formal evaluation of On Track is still in progress with the final report due in December 2006. This report will look at the effectiveness of On Track and provide evidence about how it has contributed to delivering the Every Child Matters outcomes. It will also explore how On Track is positioned as part of the Children's Fund and within the broader preventative agenda.
	Evidence from Phase 1 of the evaluation suggests that On Track has been effective in tackling a range of known individual, family and school based risk factors for children and young people linked to later involvement in crime. The programme has had a positive impact on both children and adults especially in improving their confidence and self-esteem. Children are more resilient, and more likely to be in positive peer groups; families exhibit greater stability and more affectionate relationships. This has led to reductions in school absences, temporary exclusions and nuisance behaviour among the children and young people involved in the On Track programme.

Extended School Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what restrictions apply to the bodies from which local education authorities can commission extended school services; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: It will be for individual local authorities and schools to decide what partners they need to commission to support the development of extended services in schools. We have not put in place any restrictions. We envisage a strong role for the voluntary and private sectors in delivering extended services in partnership with schools, particularly for services such as child care. The services developed in schools will complement and join up with other services and providers where they are already in place. Written agreements will underpin any commissions awarded to providers to ensure that issues such as health and safety are addressed.

GCSEs (London)

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the reasons for the change in performance in GCSE examinations in inner London local education authorities over the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: For the first time in history, the 2004 GCSE results for state schools in London overtook the national average. We know that the single most important factor in the control of the education service in changing how well children do is the quality of the teaching that they experience. The quality of school leadership is the most important factor in determining how well a school is able to promote effective teaching. And the quality of local support for school improvement is the biggest external influence on the effective leadership and management of schools.
	A range of factors are therefore significant. First, the focused attention of teachers, heads and LEAs on improving the quality of teaching and learning has been critical. Second, Ofsted identifies this generation of teachers as the best ever and strong improvements in teacher supply have been disproportionately beneficial in London, since times of shortage affect London most. There are now 63,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers in London, compared to 58,300 in 2001. Third, the quality of leadership in London's schools is now identified by Ofsted as being better than the national average. Fourth, local education authorities play a crucial role in supporting school improvement, and we have seen their capacity to do so improve over the past five years. In 2004 20 London authorities were rated 'excellent' or 'good' in the comprehensive performance assessment (compared to 13 in 2002) and no authorities were rated 'poor' (compared to 4 in 2002).
	National programmes have contributed to supporting this improvement. Excellence in Cities has provided focused support and very significant resources in London, as in other urban areas across the country. Intervention in those local education authorities which were failing has contributed to bringing in to those authorities the people and resources which have enabled them to be effective.
	The London Challenge, which began in 2002, has sought to focus national programmes and get behind the efforts of all those who seek to raise standards in London. Through both targeted and pan-London work, it has sought to support teachers, leaders and local authorities in their work for raising the achievement of young people and creating a world-class education system.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in her Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the use of laptops in that period; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The breakdown of information regarding users is not available. Laptops are used by 1,629 members of the Department for Education and Skills. No laptops were lost and the following table shows the number of laptops reported as stolen since 1 January 1996.
	
		
			  Number of laptops Approximate value per item (£) Total approximate value (£) 
		
		
			 1996 6 1,000 6,000 
			 1997 5 1,000 5,000 
			 1998 7 1,000 7,000 
			 1999 5 1,000 5,000 
			 2000 2 1,000 2,000 
			 2001 3 1,000 3,000 
			 2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 8 1,326.58 10,612.64 
			 2004 4 1,326.58 5,306

Literacy

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of literacy levels among 11-year-olds in (a) Manchester, Blackley, (b) Manchester, (c) Greater Manchester and (d) England.

Jacqui Smith: The 2004 results show that standards in primary schools are improving again. In English the percentage of 11-year-olds achieving the target level 4 of the national curriculum increased by (percentage) points to 78 per cent.
	Standards in primary schools in the (a) Manchester, Blackley, constituency, (b) Manchester and (c) Greater Manchester have also improved. A summary of the 2004 outcomes compared to 2003 is set out in the table.
	Information on education and skills by constituency is made available by the Department through the 'In Your Area' website, available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea
	
		2004 Key Stage 2 English (achievement at Level 4 and above) compared to 2003 -- Percentage
		
			  2003 results 2004 results Percentage point increase 
		
		
			 Manchester, Blackley 70 71 +1 
			 Manchester 68 71 +3 
			 Greater Manchester 73 77 +4 
			 England 75 78 +3

Parenting Programmes

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support her Department has provided for parenting programmes in 2005–06; and what parenting programmes her Department has funded in each local education authority area.

Maria Eagle: The Department has made available £4.97 million through the Strengthening Families Grant to voluntary and community sector providing family and relationship support for the financial year 2005–06. We expect to announce successful applicants shortly. We also have made £16.4 million available to the sector from 2004–06 through the Parenting Fund (administered by the National Family and Parenting Institute).
	Proposals for family and relationship support funding are sought from across England and grants are awarded on the basis of merit and adherence to published grant criteria. Information on the distribution of parenting programmes by local education authority is not requested or held.

Pre/after-school Clubs

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the funds allocated for breakfast and after-school clubs will be allocated to Northern Ireland.

Beverley Hughes: The funding announced on Monday 13 June to support extended services, including breakfast and after school clubs, has been allocated to all local authorities in England. Funding arrangements in Northern Ireland are dealt with separately by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Pre/after-school Clubs

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what activities the proposed after-school clubs will offer;
	(2)  how the after school club scheme will be funded; what mechanisms will be put in place to audit the spending of the relevant funds; and what additional services will be provided from the funding provided direct to schools;
	(3)  what steps she will take to ensure that teaching staff do not experience increased workload from the proposed after-school club scheme.

Beverley Hughes: Though the development of extended schools, we want children and young people to be able to access a wide range of interesting activities such as homework clubs, sport, music tuition, dance and drama, arts and crafts, special interest clubs such as chess and first aid courses, visits to museums and galleries, foreign language tuition, volunteering, or business and enterprise activities. It will be up to schools in consultation with parents to develop activities that will best meet the needs of their children. The Department for Education and Skills' Extended Schools Prospectus' sets out the Government's expectation of a core set of extended services, including after school activities, that we want to see in or accessible through all schools by 2010.
	The funding for local authorities announced on 13 June is to help 'kick-start' extended services, such as after school clubs. Funding was also announced to be directly distributed to schools. Overtime, in order to ensure that schools can make a sustainable all year round offer of extended services to families they will need to establish realistic costing and charging arrangements.
	Local authorities will allocate funding to schools to develop extended services taking into account factors such as existing services in the community and levels of deprivation. Funding released to schools on that basis should be spent in accordance with that agreement. Local authorities already audit public funds spent by schools. Any additional funding provided for extended schools will fall within this existing audit regime.
	It will be for individual schools to determine, in consultation with parents and young people, the focus of the funding provided directly to schools but it has been provided to help schools develop and sustain extended services.
	There is no expectation that teachers will deliver extended services, nor is it necessary for head teachers to be responsible for their management. The funding made available can be used flexibly to support whatever barriers schools might face in developing extended services. This can include, for example, appointing a manager who works across a cluster of schools to develop extended services and hence ease any burden on existing school staff. The National Remodelling Team will take a lead role in supporting schools on the development of extended services and will provide schools with the support they need to ensure that services develop in way that is consistent with the tenets of school workforce reform.

Pupil Suspensions

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what powers head teachers have (a) to search and (b) to suspend pupils at (i) state secondary schools and (ii) private schools if they suspect a pupil of carrying any form of weapon on school premises.

Jacqui Smith: State and independent school head teachers can search a desk or locker without the pupil's consent, search a bag or jacket with consent, or ask the police to do a personal search. Proposals in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill would give all schools additional powers to search outer clothing and belongings without consent, where they reasonably suspect an offensive weapon is being carried. State school head teachers can permanently exclude a child for carrying an offensive weapon, even on a first offence, and appeal panels should not normally reinstate such pupils. Private school proprietors draw up their own discipline policies and decide what sanctions the head teacher can impose.

Special Needs Assistance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what account local authorities take of social class in assessing applications for special needs educational assistance.

Maria Eagle: Local authorities do not take account of social class as an indicator of the need for special educational needs (SEN) support. On request from parents or schools, local authorities are under a duty, where necessary, to assess children's SEN and draw up statements which set out the provision to meet those needs. The Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) (Consolidation) Regulations 2001 require local authorities when making assessments of a child's SEN to seek advice from the social services authority as to the educational, medical, psychological or other features of the case which appear to be relevant to the child's educational needs and how those features could affect the child's educational needs. The local authority would have to take account of any relevant advice from the social services authority concerning a child's family and social situation, rather than the child's social class, when making an assessment.

Special Schools

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when the Government's audit of special schools began; and when it is expected to conclude;
	(2)  what account will be taken of the views of parents in the Government's audit of special schools;
	(3)  who will conduct the Government's audit of special schools; what the terms of reference are; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The National Audit of Low Incidence Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, services and provision commenced on 1 February 2005. The audit is due to report back to the Department early January 2006.
	The Special Needs Consultancy is undertaking the audit on behalf of the Department. The audit will take into account the views of education, social care, health and the voluntary and private sectors. The aims of the audit are
	Establish how local authorities meet the needs of the children in their authority with low incidence SEN.
	Explore gaps in services, support and provision, and how these gaps can be/are being addressed.
	Use the above to support and inform policy and practice development for regional and local planning and provision so that more pupils have their needs met locally.
	Help develop thinking around Regional Centres of Expertise.
	Identify local, regional and national centres of good practice and expertise, especially those with the potential for enhancing their role to provide advice and/or support to schools.
	It is not the intention to survey schools or parents at this stage, the audit will predominantly seek the views in each local authority area of those sectors and groups involved in the delivery of SEN support services and provision.

Special Schools

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will impose a moratorium on the closure of special schools until the Government's audit have been completed.

Maria Eagle: The National Audit of Low Incidence Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, services and provision commenced on 1 February 2005. The audit is due to report back to the Department early January 2006.
	The Special Needs Consultancy is undertaking the audit on behalf of the Department. The audit will take into account the views of education, social care, health and the voluntary and private sectors. The aims of the audit are:
	Establish how local authorities meet the needs of the children in their authority with low incidence SEN.
	Explore gaps in services, support and provision, and how these gaps can be/are being addressed.
	Use the above to support and inform policy and practice development for regional and local planning and provision so that more pupils have their needs met locally.
	Help develop thinking around Regional Centres of Expertise.
	Identify local, regional and national centres of good practice and expertise, especially those with the potential for enhancing their role to provide advice and/or support to schools.
	Special schools provision of reorganisations or closures is a matter for local decision.

Special Schools

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the review of provision of special schools will take evidence from (a) Baroness Warnock and (b) other experts.

Maria Eagle: We published the Report of the Special Schools Working Group" in 2003 which contained a number of specific proposals and recommendations which would allow special schools to develop their role within the wider schools framework. The Group's recommendations are contained in our SEN strategy Removing Barriers to Achievement". One of the recommendations of the Group was for the Department to carry out a National Audit of low Incidence SEN Specialist support services and provision in order to promote effective regional and sub-regional planning to meet the needs of children with low incidence needs.
	The National Audit of Low Incidence Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, services and provision commenced on 1 February 2005. The audit is due to report back to the Department early January 2006. The audit will predominantly seeking the views in leach local authority area of those sectors and groups involved in the delivery of SEN support services and provision.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Arms Sales (Sudan)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is towards the application made by Belarus to the UN Sanctions Committee seeking permission to sell arms to Sudan.

Kim Howells: There have been no applications to the relevant UN Sanctions Committee seeking permission to sell arms to Sudan. The Government of Belarus have sought clarification on the scope of the UN arms embargo against Sudan, which has been provided by the Chairman of the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee.

Asylum Seekers

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the forced deportations of Uzbek asylum seekers by the Kyrgyz Government; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Our ambassador, accredited to Kyrgyzstan, visited the country from the 6–8 June. He was assured by the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the National Security Council that Kyrgyzstan would honour its commitments to the refugees under international law. He also spoke to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives in Kyrgyzstan about the refugee situation. The Acting President of Kyrgyzstan reassured the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe on 30 May that Kyrgyzstan would make all efforts necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of refugees and to comply with relevant international commitments. The handing over of four refugees to the Andizhan prosecutor on 9 June appears to be a clear, and deeply regrettable, breach of those commitments.
	During his visit our ambassador publicly emphasised the importance of involving the UNHCR in the process of determining the future of the refugees. The involvement of UNHCR is essential to ensure that Kyrgyzstan meets its international obligations. On 13 June the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the EU called on the Kyrgyz to respect these international commitments. This message was reinforced again by an EU statement at the OSCE on 16 June. Our EU partners and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Baltic Ferry

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the UK signed the 1995 Estonia Agreement preventing exploration of the wreck of the Baltic Ferry, Estonia; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The purpose of the 1995 Estonia Agreement was to protect the final place of rest of the 852 people who died when the MS Estonia sank. The UK acceded to the agreement in 1999, consistent with our role as a leading maritime power and our friendly relations with Sweden, Finland and Estonia, who were the original contracting parties to the agreement. Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Russia have also acceded to the agreement.

Bio-contamination

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken by UK embassies and consulates to protect employees against bio-contamination through the post.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued guidance to all its missions overseas on the handling of potentially dangerous contaminants received through the post and advises them to practice drills on dealing with such incidents in conjunction with the local authorities. All suspicious parcels and letters should be scanned prior to opening and staff are advised to use medical standard face masks and latex gloves when handling such mail.
	FCO overseas security advisers advise on the positioning of mail rooms and sorting facilities to ensure that they are located outside general working areas. Any suspicious mail is then isolated to avoid wider contamination. Missions are also advised to hold, or have ready access to, stocks of prescribed antibiotics so they can be administered quickly to staff.
	The FCO is aware of the limitations of scanning equipment to detect possible contaminants and, in conjunction with Government research groups, is seeking more effective methods of detecting such threats.

Caribbean Terrorism

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the (a) Venezuelan and (b) US Government concerning the activities of terrorists in the Caribbean region.

Kim Howells: We hold regular discussions with a number of Governments on global counter terrorism issues, including with the United States and Venezuela.

Civil Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value for money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in his Department in 2004–05.

Jack Straw: In the pre-Budget report 2004, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reported Office of Government Commerce (OGC) value for money gains in central civil government procurement for 2003–04 of £2 billion. OGC value for money procurement gains for 2004–05 are being calculated and will be published in the 2005 Treasury Autumn Performance report. Final figures for value for money procurement savings for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are still being drawn together for submission to the OGC, but indications are that these will be in excess of £2.9 million.
	In the 2005 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a headcount reduction of 12,500 posts by the end of 2004–05, towards the Government's target of a gross reduction of 84,000 civil service and administrative posts by 2008. Under its efficiency plans, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to reduce staffing levels by 313 by 1 April 2008. The rollout of a new database over the period in question makes exact comparisons difficult, but excluding staff paid for by fee income, we estimate staff numbers have declined by about 50 between April 2004 and April 2005.

Colombia

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the population displacement caused by violence in south-western Colombia.

Douglas Alexander: Our embassy in Bogota reports regularly on internally displaced people (IDPs) in Colombia, and discusses the situation with the Colombian authorities, the UN and NGOs. Given the nature of the issue, it is very difficult to put a completely accurate figure on the number of IDPs. Statistics provided by the Government of Columbia and unofficial statistics differ slightly, but the figures are in the region of 3 million people internally displaced. This humanitarian crisis has arisen as a direct result of the internal armed conflict in Colombia. Recent years have shown a marked decline in numbers of newly displaced people, although the overall figure of internally displaced people as a whole continues to rise, as the security forces made some headway against the illegally armed groups. Government of Colombia figures for 2003 and 2004 for new displacements are 219,469 and 137,315 respectively. But the situation is still critical and more needs to be done to address the issue. South-West Colombia, where the security forces are making a concerted push against the illegal armed groups, is particularly affected.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter dated 1 February from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding the Diplomatic Bag Service.

Douglas Alexander: I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 6 June 2005.

Cote d'Ivoire

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the killing of civilians in the western Co(r)te d'Ivoire town of Due"koue".

Ian Pearson: We are extremely concerned by events around Due"koue", including the deaths of over 50 people and the displacement of up to 8,000 civilians, and the continuing unrest in the west of Co(r)te d'Ivoire. Together with our European Union partners we have called on all parties to the Ivorian conflict to promote calm, ensure there is no recurrence of these tragic events and keep to the timetable set for disarmament and demobilisation.

Cyprus

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UN Security Council's recommendation to extend the mandate of peacekeeping forces in Cyprus.

Douglas Alexander: We welcome the UN Secretary-General's recommendation to extend the mandate of peacekeeping forces in Cyprus. We also commend the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for its swift and successful implementation of many of the changes to its force strength and structure which were authorised in UN Security Council Resolution 1568 (2004) to take account of changes in the political context and physical changes on the ground. We are encouraged that the situation along the Green Line remains calm and that crossings have taken place frequently. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary-General's commitment to keep the operations of UNFICYP under close review and to revert to the Security Council in the event that major changes are warranted.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of African Union troops required to secure Darfur; and how many there are at present.

Ian Pearson: The African Union (AU) led an assessment mission to Darfur in March this year to look at the AU force's performance. Military experts from the EU, UN, UK, US and Canada participated in this mission. On the recommendations of the assessment team, the AU decided to expand its mission in Darfur to over 7,700 personnel in order to fulfil its current mandate and to provide a secure environment throughout the region. The UK welcomed this decision, and has allocated £19 million to support the expansion. This brings our total support to the AU mission to almost £32 million.
	At present, the AU has deployed almost 2,700 of the planned 3,320 staff for its mission. The shortfall is mainly due to delays in identifying and deploying suitable police officers. Our understanding is that approximately 460 police are deployed (out of a mandated 815). Efforts to close the gap continue.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to implement the UN Security Council resolution of 29 March to freeze the assets and restrict the travel movements of the architects of the genocide in Darfur.

Kim Howells: The Government have fully implemented the obligations in Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005) in the United Kingdom, the overseas territories and Crown dependencies. It has made the necessary provisions for the assets freeze and travel ban to be applied to individuals who will be designated by the committee, including individuals that have committed violations of international humanitarian or human rights law or other atrocities.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the first indictments to be handed down to the alleged perpetrators identified by the International Criminal Court on war crimes in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: Following a preliminary examination, the prosecutor of the international criminal court announced, on 6 June, his intention to open a formal investigation into the situation in Darfur.
	The court will carry out its investigations in Darfur, as elsewhere, in an entirely independent capacity. The timing of the indictments, like the names and numbers of those to be investigated or prosecuted, is solely within the prosecutor's discretion.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the estimate made by the UN's Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs of the numbers of people that would die every month in Darfur if insecurity led to humanitarian organisations suspending their operations there.

Ian Pearson: Jan Egeland estimated in March that 10,000 Sudanese civilians were dying each month in Darfur. Estimates of deaths in Darfur vary from 70,000 to 300,000 and above. Accurate figures are not available and, even though the World Health Organisation is undertaking a second crude mortality survey, it will only give a snapshot of the situation. We are unlikely ever to get a full and wholly accurate picture of deaths from this conflict.
	There are 2.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Darfur and many of these would be put at great risk if humanitarian operations were suspended by any organisation for reasons of insecurity. This is why the Government fully supported the African Union's (AU) decision to increase their troop numbers from 3,000 to 7,700 and why the Government recently announced a further £19 million in funding to the AU mission in Darfur. This brings the UK's total funding to the AU to almost £32 million.
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn), reaffirmed to the Government of Sudan during his recent visit that NGOs must be allowed to operate freely and without harassment.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he used to decide whether the situation in Darfur constituted genocide.

Kim Howells: There is no doubt that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been committed in Darfur. We have consistently made clear that the perpetrators of these terrible crimes must be brought to justice.
	The UK applies the definition of genocide given in the International Criminal Court Act 2001. Under the Act, genocide" is defined by reference to Article 6 of the Rome Statute, as certain acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
	With regard to Sudan, the UK did not have sufficient evidence to judge whether the acts were undertaken with the intent necessary to constitute genocide.
	For this reason, we pressed strongly for the establishment of an expert International Commission of Inquiry (ICI) by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to investigate the reports of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Darfur in 2004, and to determine whether genocide had occurred. The ICI's report, issued to the Security Council on 31 January 2005, concluded that the Government of Sudan did not appear to have pursued a policy of genocide in Darfur and that, while individuals may have done so, this was a determination which only a competent court could make. The conclusion that no genocidal policy had been pursued by the Government in no way detracted from the gravity of the crimes committed including crimes against humanity and/or war crimes. Following this, the UK played a leading role in sponsoring UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) of 31 March, in which the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC)—as recommended by the ICI. The prosecutor of the ICC announced a formal investigation on 6 June.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the two sides involved in the Darfur crisis to clarify which countries should be involved in the mediation process.

Ian Pearson: We fully support the African Union (AU) mediation in the Darfur peace talks in Abuja, and welcome the appointment of Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim as AU Special Envoy to the talks. We are pressing the Government of Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement to co-operate fully with the AU mediation, and to work in good faith to achieve a political resolution of the conflict.
	A number of international observers are also present at the talks, at the invitation of the AU, including a UK representative who is ready to provide support and advice, as required, to the mediation team and the parties.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects a new Senior Special Envoy to Sudan to be appointed to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Darfur Peace Process.

Ian Pearson: Mr. Alan Goulty was appointed as the UK special representative for Darfur on 13 June. He will support the efforts to achieve a durable political settlement of the Darfur conflict.
	Mr. Goulty has an unparalleled knowledge of Sudan, deriving from his previous appointments as British ambassador to Khartoum, Director for the Middle East and North Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and, from 2002 to 2004, as the United Kingdom's special representative for Sudan. He played a key role in the successful negotiations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the 21 year civil war in Sudan. He will perform his new role in addition to his current responsibilities as British ambassador to Tunis.
	This appointment underlines the UK's continuing commitment to achieving lasting peace throughout Sudan, including in Darfur.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the need for a peace-enforcement mandate for the African Union mission in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: The African Union (AU) led an assessment mission to Darfur in March to look at the AU force's performance. Military experts from the EU, UN, UK, US and Canada participated in this mission. It found that the AU's mandate was sufficient to promote peace and security in the region, but that more troops were needed to deliver it effectively.
	On the recommendations of the assessment mission, the AU has decided to expand its mission in Darfur to over 7,700 personnel. It has also said that, within its existing mandate, the expanded mission will focus more on the provision of security. The increased number of troops will allow it to do this, and we are therefore working to support the AU in getting them deployed and fully operational as quickly as possible.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the benefit to (a) the Government of Sudan and (b) the people of Darfur that will result from the oil contract between Cliveden Petroleum Sudan Ltd. and the Government of Sudan;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the implications of the oil contract between Cliveden Petroleum Sudan Ltd. and the Government of Sudan for the (a) credibility and (b) effectiveness of UK foreign policy towards Sudan.

Ian Pearson: We are aware of reports that Cliveden Petroleum Sudan Ltd., as part of a wider oil exploration group, have been granted a concession to explore for oil in Darfur. We have no further details.
	Following signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on 9 January 2005, all future oil contracts will be decided by the National Petroleum Commission (NPC), which will include representatives from oil producing regions. Under the terms of the CPA, the local, as well as national, interests of the population will guide the utilisation of oil. Local communities will have the right to participate in the development of oil from their areas, through their respective states/regions, and shall share in the benefits of that development. But for the full benefits of a peace dividend to be realised, the parties must achieve a political resolution for Darfur. To this end, we are pressing the Government of Sudan and the rebels to reach agreement in Abuja, consistent with the principles of power and wealth sharing as set down in the CPA. A UK observer is present at the talks.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the Government of Sudan to end its suspension of the Khartoum Monitor.

Ian Pearson: On 21 May 2005 the Sudanese authorities suspended the publication of the English language daily newspaper, Khartoum Monitor, allegedly because of its coverage of the clashes in the Soba Aradi camp on 18 May. Our ambassador in Khartoum made strong representations on this matter to the Government of Sudan on 21 May.
	On 12 June the Khartoum Monitor had its license revoked by the Press Council General Secretary. An appeal against the decision has been launched. We have since made further representations to the Government of Sudan. We regularly press the Sudanese authorities on the need to provide full press freedom and freedom of expression, which is enshrined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the outbreaks of violence in eastern villages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned by the level of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Many Congolese and foreign armed groups continue to prey on the local population. Poorly-paid and indisciplined Congolese army soldiers are part of the problem.
	Despite the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) disarming around 13,000 militiamen since April, armed groups in Ituri remain a threat to civilians and attack MONUC patrols.
	Rwandan Hutu rebels continue to perpetrate serious human rights abuses in the Kivu provinces. We continue to press the Congolese and Rwandan Governments to work together with MONUC towards disarming these groups.

Diplomats

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadors he has appointed since 1March.

Jack Straw: Since 1 March five ambassadors, six high commissioners and three governors of Overseas Territories have been appointed. Some of these appointments are public, others not yet.

Ethiopia

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Ethiopian Government on recent events in Addis Ababa; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: On 8 June 2005 my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Lord Triesman of Tottenham made a statement stressing the Government's alarm at the reported loss of life and calling on all parties to take responsibility, reach consensus on the investigation of complaints about the electoral process and respect constitutionally established law. We welcome the fact that the Government and Opposition have since then signed an agreement on the investigation of complaints. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases.
	Ministers have spoken to Prime Minister Meles to express concern about the events. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) also discussed this further with Prime Minister Meles and Opposition Leaders in Addis on 15 June. He urged all parties to show a firm commitment to the National Election Board and to the constitutional process so that the election process can be concluded. He called on Prime Minister Meles to follow due legal process for those who have been detained, to allow immediate access for their families and the Red Cross and to hold a full investigation into the shootings.

Ethiopia

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of recent events in Addis Ababa; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: We are alarmed at the recent incidents in Ethiopia and have expressed our concern to the Government and Opposition leaders. We are urging all parties to show calm and restraint.
	It is vital that all parties now stand by and implement the declaration relating to the review and investigation of election complaints, which they have signed and committed to. The Prime Minister and the leaders of the Opposition Parties in Ethiopia owe it to the people of Ethiopia to ensure that the democratic process is completed peacefully and successfully.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 136W, on Hamas, what discussions his Department held with (a) the Conflicts Forum and (b) members of the Conflicts Forum between the death of Yasser Arafat and 1 March.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no discussions with the Conflicts Forum or with members of the Conflict Forum about Hamas between the death of Yasser Arafat and 1 March 2005. However, on 14 June, FCO Research Analysts met Beverley Milton-Edwards (Queens University Belfast and Conflicts Forum) to hear about the Forum's past activity.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 136W, on Hamas, on what date in February he authorised contacts with Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary authorised working-level contacts with Hamas elected representatives not directly implicated in violence on 21 February 2005.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 136W, on Hamas, which senior Hamas official the deputy consul-general in Jerusalem was seated next to at President Abbas's inauguration in January.

Kim Howells: The deputy consul-general, acting as charge" d'affaires, sat next to Hassan Youssef, a senior Hamas leader, at President Abbas's inauguration. They did not engage in substantive conversation.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 136W, on Hamas, on what dates his officials had discussions with (a) the Palestinian Authority and (b) Israel concerning the seating arrangements of British officials at President Abbas's inauguration in January; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There were no discussions with either the Palestinians or Israelis about seating arrangements for President Abbas' inauguration. Seating arrangements were not prepared—they were carried out as people arrived on the day under chaotic conditions.

Iraq

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) financial, (b) technical and (c) manpower support offered by the Government to the Iraqi archaeological services in the Multi-National Division South East area of operations since Operation TELIC I; and what further measures are planned.

Kim Howells: The Government take very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. As United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (June 2004) stressed, all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage.
	The Government's support has been for the Iraqi Ministry of Culture who have national responsibility for cultural heritage in Iraq. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in regular contact with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport spoke with the former Iraqi Minister of Culture on 26 January and is kept closely informed of key cultural issues in Iraq.
	In early 2005 the Government funded a capacity-building visit to the UK by three Iraqi interns from the Ministry of Culture. They received training on site management techniques and museology and were based at the British Museum. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will give careful consideration to any further proposals designed to help the cultural reconstruction of Iraq.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received in relation to the killing of Iraqis in the Kasra-wa-Atah district of north Baghdad on 5 May.

Kim Howells: The Government have not received any representations relating to the bodies found in Kasra-wa-Atah district of north Baghdad on 5 May.

Israel

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Israel on attacks by the Israeli Defence Force which have impacted on Palestinian police officers.

Kim Howells: The UK is actively working to build the capacity of the Palestinian civil police, through the EU Co-ordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUCOPPS).
	We have raised with the Israeli Government the importance of facilitating Palestinian efforts to deliver effective policing, and we have made representations where Israel Defence Force (IDF) actions have affected Palestinian authority operations. In extreme cases IDF actions have led to the deaths of policemen. We call for both sides to maintain the period of calm and increased co-operation between the Israeli Government and Palestinian authority.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK will press the EU to take measures under Article 79 of the EU/Israel Association Agreement to enforce the human rights conditions of the Agreement.

Douglas Alexander: We do not plan to call on the EU to take measures under Article 79 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Government believe that, as a friend of Israel and the Palestinians, we can best exert influence and encourage both sides to take the steps needed for progress through close engagement. We, and our EU partners, regularly call on both sides to meet their roadmap commitments; for the Palestinians this includes taking effective action against terrorism and for the Israelis a freeze on all settlement activity and the easing of restrictions on the movement of persons and goods. We do not believe, however, that punitive measures would bring the parties any nearer to a peaceful resolution.

Malaysia

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects UK veterans of the campaign in Malaysia between 1957 and 1966 to be able to receive the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal awarded by the present Malaysian administration to all Commonwealth veterans of that campaign.

Jack Straw: In the light of the Malaysian Government's request to present the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal to British citizens, I have asked for certain principles of the Government's rules governing the accepting and wearing of foreign awards to be reviewed. The timing of an announcement on whether the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal may be presented will depend on the review, which I hope will be conducted quickly.

Murder Trial (Spain)

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Spanish authorities on the date for commencement of the trial of the two Venezuelan nationals accused of the murder of the constituents of the hon. Member for Clwyd, South, Tony and Linda O'Malley, in March 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We continue to take a close and active interest in the case of Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley's murder. This has included high-level representations at an early stage in the investigation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary asked the Spanish Foreign Minister, Ana Palcio, on 9 April 2003 to ensure that DNA samples relating to the murder could be tested as soon as possible. My hon. Friend the former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Affairs (Mr. MacShane) also raised the issues of the speeding up of forensic testing and repatriation of the deceased with the Spanish Minister for Europe, Ramo"n de Miguel on 6 June 2003.
	Spanish legal proceedings against the two Venezuelans accused of the murder are now under way. These differ significantly from a trial in the UK system. Since the proceedings began, we have not made representations to the Spanish authorities on any aspect of the case, as, under international law, we are unable to interfere in the judicial process of other countries. Our own judicial proceedings are similarly protected.

Non-proliferation Treaty

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the UK representatives at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference were; and what assessment he has made of the conference outcome.

Kim Howells: Full details of the UK Delegation can be found on the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) website at: www.un.org/events/npt2005.
	The Review Conference was not able to agree a substantive final document as the UK would have preferred. But it was able to discuss ways to address threats to the non-proliferation regime. The UK will be pursuing these ideas in appropriate fora over the coming months.

North Korea

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the nuclear weapons capability of North Korea; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government have, for some time, had serious concerns about the nuclear programme and nuclear weapons ambitions of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We take every opportunity to raise these concerns in our dealings with the DPRK Government.
	The Government assess that the DPRK extracted sufficient plutonium in the early 1990s for up to two nuclear warheads and that it has the technical capability to weaponise this material. Since then, the DPRK claims to have extracted enough plutonium from its stock of fuel rods to manufacture several additional nuclear warheads. We also believe the DPRK is pursuing efforts towards production of highly enriched uranium.
	We call on the Government of North Korea to reconfirm its commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, and to re-engage in discussions with the other participants of the 6 Party Talks process to achieve their objective peacefully through negotiation. We also continue to be gravely concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea and raise this regularly with the DPRK authorities at ministerial and official level.

Operation Bracknell

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that all costs incurred by Sussex police in respect of Operation Bracknell in relation to the South East Asian tsunami are reimbursed.

Ian Pearson: The Sussex police have submitted a bill for Operation Bracknell costs incurred up to 31 March 2005. This bill, together with bills from police forces submitted in recent days, is being checked to see that it has been prepared in accordance with agreed guidelines. Appropriate costs will be reimbursed in July. A working group has been set up to consider what costs will be reimbursed for the period from 1 April.

Second World War

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which heads of Government have accepted invitations to attend UK commemorative events for the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Jack Straw: There will be a series of public events in the UK to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War, which will culminate in a Day of National Commemoration on Sunday 10 July. This event is conceived principally as a national event for UK veterans, and not as an inter-governmental occasion. A decision was therefore taken not to invite Heads of Government but to invite all Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to the UK, as well as the UK representatives of the Overseas Territories. The only Head of Government who is attending the events on this day is my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Torture

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 133W, on British detainees (torture allegations), 
	(1)  how many times in each of the last five years cases in which his Department has requested an impartial investigation by the relevant national authorities into allegations of the torture or ill-treatment of British citizens detained abroad have been drawn to the attention of Ministers;
	(2)  how many times in each of the last five years cases in which the Department has raised concerns about the torture or ill-treatment of British citizens detained abroad with the relevant national authorities have been drawn to the attention of the Minister.

Kim Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers are updated on a fortnightly basis on significant consular cases within their areas of responsibility. These updates would normally include information about any action taken on behalf of British nationals in detention overseas who have made allegations of mistreatment and Ministers take a close interest in these cases. Specific details on such cases are kept on individual case files only and it would therefore incur disproportionate cost to undertake the research necessary to provide exact figures.

UKvisas

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which organisations he hasidentified as competitors to UKvisas; and whether they are required to meet public service agreement targets.

Kim Howells: UKvisas is a joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office Government Department responsible for administrating the UK immigration control overseas through the issue of entry clearance.
	Under the FCO public service agreement (PSA) UKvisas aims to provide an effective and efficient entry clearance service as measured by specific underlying targets. The UKvisas annual report for 2004 available on the UKvisas website, www.ukvisas.gov.uk, gives details of performance against targets.
	The UKvisas business plan available on the same website, details the specific underlying PSA targets for 2005–06. We review and compare our performance with that of other visa operations such as those of the USA, Australia and Schengen countries. Each may be subject to various performance-monitoring regimes by their governments.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his reply of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 137W, on Iraq, if he will write to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr once his inquiries with the United States Government are completed.

Kim Howells: I confirm that a letter will be sent once a reply from the relevant US Government officials has been received.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has received regarding the country of origin of the Alouette helicopter spare parts sold to Zimbabwe.

Ian Pearson: We understand that the Alouette helicopter spare parts were supplied as part of a procurement package signed between South Africa and France and delivered from 1966 to 1971; and that they were subsequently offered for sale by the South African Air Force when the helicopters for which they were supplied were decommissioned.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of barring those members of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs who were part of the group recommending the reclassification of cannabis to Class C from the current assessment of the stronger varieties of cannabis.

Paul Goggins: A number of members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), including the Chairman, were members of the ACMD when it considered the classification of cannabis preparations and provided its advice to the Home Secretary in March 2002.
	As an independent advisory body it is important that the ACMD should be free and unfettered to conduct its business, without the interference of Parliament or Ministers. Members are appointed on the basis of their individual qualities and expertise, and on appointment are charged with providing independent and impartial advice to the best of their ability. Considerable effort is made to ensure that the membership of the ACMD reflects all necessary and appropriate disciplines and areas of knowledge and expertise, and it is fundamental that its advice is based on the contributions of its full membership so that it is as full and strong as possible.
	I remain confident in the integrity and professionalism of the ACMD and its membership, and look forward to receiving its advice.

Airwave

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he expects the extension of the Airwave system to the London Underground to be complete.

Hazel Blears: Airwave already covers most of the London Underground network. We expect the whole network, including the very deepest tunnels, to be covered by 2008. The British Transport police, who are responsible for policing the London Underground, already have radios that work in that environment.

Antisocial Behaviour

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles have been confiscated as a result of antisocial behaviour in Tamworth since police were given powers to do so.

Hazel Blears: Powers under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 allow a constable in uniform, after giving a warning, to stop and seize a motor vehicle, if he/she has grounds for believing that it is being used (or is likely to be used) in an antisocial manner causing harassment, alarm or distress.
	Following the commencement of this power on 1 January 2003 the police in Tamworth introduced 'Operation Trench' in response to the problems caused by antisocial use of vehicles. To date the police have issued 119 Section 59 Warning Notices to the users of motor vehicles (both cars and bikes) and recovered 15 vehicles in total. The operation has also recovered seven stolen motor vehicles, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals.

Antisocial Behaviour

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in Preseli Pembrokeshire in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Antisocial behaviour orders, introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, have been available to the courts since 1 April 1999. From commencement up to 31 May 2000 data were collected, on aggregate numbers only, by police force area. Since 1 June 2000, from copies of the orders received, we are able to determine the local government authority areas in which prohibitions have been imposed. The constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire is located within the local government authority area of Pembrokeshire county council. The available information is given in the table.
	
		ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, where restrictions are imposed in the Pembrokeshire county council area, by period, up to 30 September 2004 (latest available)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(10) — 
			 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 — 
			 2001 — 
			 2002 — 
			 2003 — 
			 1 January to 30 September 2004 6 
			 Total 7 
		
	
	(10)Between 1 April 1999–31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa).

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the pilot Automatic Number Plate Recognition system project.

Paul Goggins: The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) pilot evaluation report, 'Driving Crime Down—Denying Criminals the Use of the Roads' tracked the first year of ANPR Project Laser Two and tested the roll out and operation of ANPR-enabled police intercept teams. The report concluded that ANPR is one of the most effective technologies currently available to the Police Service.
	ANPR has had an impact on crime at all levels and has also proved effective in intelligence gathering and post-incident investigation. Dedicated police intercept officers in 23 forces using ANPR technology during Laser Two, achieved a nine fold increase in their average arrest rate to that of the nationally accepted average. In addition, the same officers produced three times the Offences Brought to Justice compared to conventional policing.
	The national rollout of ANPR is now well under way and it is the Association of Chief Police Officer's (ACPO) vision, supported by the Home Office Police Standards Unit, for each police force to have at least one dedicated ANPR intercept team in place by October 2005 and for this facility to be extended to the equivalent of one per Police Basic Command Unit by April 2008.
	The Government remain committed to ANPR so that it may both build and improve upon the level of success it has achieved so far.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system is expected to help reduce the number of uninsured drivers.

Paul Goggins: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) intercept officers can currently issue an endorsable fixed penalty notice for the offence of driving while uninsured. Approximately 12 per cent. of the 54,035 fixed penalty notices issued during the Laser Two pilot were for this offence.
	Provisions in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 give police both improved access to the Motor Insurers Database (this is an automated system of identifying to police officers those vehicles that are on the road that are uninsured) and a statutory power to seize a vehicle if there is no valid certificate of insurance for that vehicle.
	The Government hope that by utilising these additional powers, police ANPR-enabled intercept teams will significantly help to reduce the number of vehicles that are using the roads without valid insurance cover.

Bicycle Bells

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues to the police on ascertaining whether a bicycle without a bell was sold before the change in the law requiring a bell came into force.

Paul Goggins: None: The requirement for the mandatory fitting of bells on pedal cycles is enforced at the point of sale by local authority trading standard officers. It is not a matter for the police.

Bicycle Bells

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for not having a bicycle bell of (a) cycle dealers and (b) cyclists.

Paul Goggins: It is not possible to identify offences related specifically to bicycle bells from the data held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database as this information is not centrally collected.

British Airport Users

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research has been (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned by his Department into the profiles of users of British airports.

Tony McNulty: United Kingdom border controls are operated by the immigration service on an intelligence led basis. The monitoring of arriving traffic at all ports of entry and the risk assessment of any new or proposed traffic is undertaken on a regular basis within the context of research underpinned by intelligence which is gathered through the National Intelligence Model.
	The immigration service monitors emerging trends identified by frontline staff and regional intelligence units. This information is analysed and a national intelligence report produced which enables targeted action to counter abuse. Increasing functionality within the e-Borders programme will enhance and augment existing profiling processes.
	In addition the Multi Agency and Risk Assessment Group (MATRA) ensures that at the 36 airports participating in the process, the airport authorities and the three border agencies work closely together to effectively identify and assess risks to general security and put in place action plans in order to counter any potential threats.

Charities Commission

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what audits the Charities Commission uses to determine whether charities are acting in accordance with their constitutions.

Paul Goggins: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The chief executive at the Charity Commission will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Community Support Officers

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers are located in Wirral, South constituency.

Hazel Blears: The Merseyside police had 173 community support officers at the end of March. The chief constable (Bernard Hogan-Howe) is responsible for the operational management of the force including the deployment of community support officers (CSOs) to the Wirral area basic command unit. Within the Wirral the deployment of CSOs is a matter for the area commander. You may therefore wish to redirect your query to either the chief constable or the area commander (chief supt. Alan Jones).
	Funding is being made available over the next three years to assist in the recruitment of a total of 24,000 CSOs by 2008. The investment will help deliver our commitment that by 2008 every area in England and Wales will benefit from dedicated, visible, accessible and responsive neighbourhood policing teams.

Community Support Officers

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the community support officers the Government plan to recruit by 2008 he expects to be posted in Tamworth.

Hazel Blears: Community support officers (CSOs) are employed by police authorities, and their deployment is an operational matter for the chief constable. We are making funding available to help increase the number of CSOs to 24,000 by 2008. This investment will help deliver our commitment that by 2008 every area in England and Wales will have access to a dedicated, visible, accessible and responsive neighbourhood policing team.

Community Support Officers

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of assets seized from criminals by the Asset Recovery Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 broken down by region has been in each year since 2002.

Hazel Blears: The information is not available in the format requested . The Assets Recovery Agency came into operation on 24 February 2003. The total value of assets recovered by the agency through civil recovery and taxation is £4.6 million. The agency has also obtained orders to freeze assets with a total value of £37.8 million.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 26 May.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 15 June 2005
	I replied to the hon. Member on 16 June.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol-related crimes there have been in (a) Guildford, (b) Waverley and (c) Surrey in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: It is not possible to identify offences that are alcohol-related from the recorded crime data collected centrally.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the crime detection rates for (a) violence against the person, (b) sexual offences, (c) robberies, (d) burglaries, (e) theft of a vehicle and (f) theft from a vehicle have been in (i) Guildford and (ii) Waverley crime and disorder reduction partnership areas in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available. Detection rates are only available centrally for crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs) which are co-terminous with basic command units. This is not the case with the Guildford and Waverley CDRPs which fall within the West Surrey basic command unit.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded offences of (a) violence against the person, (b) sexual offences, (c) robberies, (d) burglaries, (e) theft of a vehicle and (f) theft from a vehicle there have been in (i) Guildford and (ii) Waverley crime and disorder partnership areas in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: The available information relating to the Guildford and Waverley crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) areas is given in the tables. Data at CDRP level are only available from 1999–2000.
	
		Table 1: Recorded crime in the Guildford crime and disorder reduction partnership area, 1999–2000 to 2001–02 -- Number of offences
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 1,027 1,175 948 
			 Sexual offences 83 114 103 
			 Robbery 51 70 78 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 518 609 419 
			 Theft of a vehicle 555 556 455 
			 Theft from a vehicle 1,078 850 736 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Recorded crime in the Guildford Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area, 2002–03 and 2003–04 -- Number of offences
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 1,196 1,555 
			 Sexual offences 95 93 
			 Robbery 69 93 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 529 495 
			 Theft of a vehicle 515 414 
			 Theft from a vehicle 865 786 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.
	
		Table 3: Recorded crime in the Waverley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area, 1999–2000 to 2001–02 -- Number of offences
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 491 612 474 
			 Sexual offences 73 62 58 
			 Robbery 18 21 27 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 363 311 314 
			 Theft of a vehicle 219 198 299 
			 Theft from a vehicle 504 439 470 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 4: Recorded crime in the Waverley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership area, 2002–03 and 2003–04 -- Number of offences
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Violence against the person 628 825 
			 Sexual offences 60 54 
			 Robbery 22 30 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 359 289 
			 Theft of a vehicle 249 192 
			 Theft from a vehicle 524 519 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 in the areas where it has been used in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there has been positive feedback from the community and a reduction in the number of calls to the police in the areas of Hammersmith and Fulham which have been authorised under section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines his Department has issued to the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the implementation of section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Hazel Blears: A Home Office circular was issued to all police forces when this section came into force in January 2004 . In addition the Association of Chief Police Officers has circulated practice advice to all forces.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes where the victim was aged 18 or under were reported in Hammersmith and Fulham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004, broken down by type of crime.

Hazel Blears: This level of information is not collected centrally.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving mobile telephones were reported in Hammersmith and Fulham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the areas within the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham that have been designated under section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Hazel Blears: None.

Crime and Disorder Statistics

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bicycle thefts were reported in Hammersmith and Fulham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004.

Paul Goggins: There were 1,006 recorded offences of theft or unauthorised taking of a pedal cycle in 2001–02 and 1,271 offences recorded in 2003–04. Because of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002, the two figures are not directly comparable. Statistics for 1997 are not available centrally.

Criminal Records Bureau Checks

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many care home staff are awaiting clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau; how many care home staff were awaiting clearance in each of the last 18 months; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the average waiting time is for a check to be carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The information requested regarding care home staff is not available. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is unable to provide information on Disclosure applications based on specific employment sectors. The CRB is planning enhancements to the Disclosure application form which will enable greater analysis in the future.
	Based on all applications issued in May 2005, the average waiting time expressed in days from receipt of a Disclosure application form to the issue of a Disclosure is 10.7 days for Standard Disclosures and 28.2 days for Enhanced Disclosures. This includes the time taken for applications that are returned to customers for further information. This provides an average waiting time of 26.3 days for all Disclosures issued in May 2005.
	However, it is worth stating that the average waiting time for 95 per cent. of Standard Disclosures was 7.6days and 22 days for 95 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures, resulting in an average waiting time of 20.2days for 95 per cent. of all Disclosures, including the time spent with customers. The CRB has published service standards of issuing 93 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks. This service standard does not include the time taken for applications that are returned to customers.
	The CRB has consistently achieved the service standard for Standard Disclosures. For Enhanced Disclosures, where an additional check is performed by local police forces for any relevant non-conviction information, the CRB has over recent months failed to achieve the service standard. For May 2005, the CRB issued 88.9 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks.
	The CRB and the Association of Chief Police Officers are continuing to work together to improve the timeliness of the work conducted within all local police force Disclosure Units.

Dispersal Orders

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dispersal orders are in force; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of dispersal orders.

Hazel Blears: We do not normally collect information on the number of areas in which dispersal powers are currently authorised. It is estimated from a specific exercise undertaken last year that dispersal powers were authorised in over 400 areas between January 2004, when the powers came into force and September 2004. We are in close touch with practitioners from both police and local authorities who consider dispersal powers to be a key tool for tackling antisocial behaviour, often used in conjunction with other measures.

Dispersal Orders

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dispersal orders have been issued to Tamworth residents since January 2004.

Hazel Blears: The chief constable of Staffordshire tells me that no dispersal orders have been issued as no area of Tamworth has been designated under Section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 since January 2004.

Dr. Jerry Vlasak (Animal Rights)

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the proposed visit by animal rights activist Dr. Jerry Vlasak to the United Kingdom.

Paul Goggins: I have received no representations about Dr. Jerry Vlasak.

Drink-driving

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for drink-driving resulted in custodial sentences in 2003, broken down by police authority.

Paul Goggins: Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on convictions and custodial sentences for drink-driving offences by police force area in 2003 is given in the table.
	
		Findings of guilt and immediate custodial sentences at all courts for offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs by police force area, 2003 -- Number of offences
		
			 Police force area Findings of guilt Immediate custody(11) 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2,666 167 
			 Bedfordshire 1,072 72 
			 Cambridgeshire 933 56 
			 Cheshire 1,905 110 
			 Cleveland 981 61 
			 Cumbria 843 37 
			 Derbyshire 1,617 168 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,667 121 
			 Dorset 1,264 73 
			 Durham 1,170 77 
			 Essex 2,622 311 
			 Gloucestershire 890 37 
			 Greater Manchester 4,743 437 
			 Hampshire 3,663 234 
			 Hertfordshire 1,904 78 
			 Humberside 1,445 150 
			 Kent 2,811 179 
			 Lancashire 2,652 146 
			 Leicestershire 1,725 143 
			 Lincolnshire 1,111 42 
			 London, City of 235 4 
			 Merseyside 2,687 215 
			 Metropolitan police 12,621 922 
			 Norfolk 1,274 59 
			 Northamptonshire 799 65 
			 Northumbria 2,747 187 
			 North Yorkshire 1,194 51 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,644 149 
			 South Yorkshire 2,089 125 
			 Staffordshire 1,733 141 
			 Suffolk 1,213 66 
			 Surrey 1,464 44 
			 Sussex 2,430 120 
			 Thames Valley 3,884 159 
			 Warwickshire 918 33 
			 West Mercia 1,797 100 
			 West Midlands 5,233 420 
			 West Yorkshire 3,720 260 
			 Wiltshire 1,031 62 
			 England 87,397 5,881 
			 Dyfed Powys 995 46 
			 Gwent 1,149 94 
			 North Wales 1,326 76 
			 South Wales 2,840 211 
			 Wales 6,310 427 
			 England and Wales 93,707 6,308 
		
	
	(11)Immediate Custody includes sentences of Detention and Training Order, Young Offender Institution and Unsuspended sentences of imprisonment.

Election Offences

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in England have dedicated teams responsible for investigating election offences; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

EU Immigrants

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from the new member states of the EU had registered to work in the UK on 1 June.

Tony McNulty: The latest management information from the Worker Registration Scheme for the period 1 May 2004 to 31 March 2005 was published on the 26 May 2005. The total number of applicants to the scheme during this period was 176,000. The next set of figures, incorporating the second quarter of 2005 (April to June 2005) will be published in August 2005.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value was of fixed penalty notices handed out by the police in the Greater London area in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what percentage of this sum remains unrecovered.

Hazel Blears: The total value of fixed penalty notices issued is not collected centrally.

Human Trafficking

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his timetable is for adopting the European convention on trafficking in human beings; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The UK has not yet taken the decision on whether or not to sign the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings and has no timetable for adoption at present. There are certain provisions in the convention which present concerns for the UK and which remain under active consideration. We want to resolve these issues before taking a decision on signature. We support fully all of the aims of the convention and we too want to see widespread action to tackle this abhorrent trade at source, to protect and support the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
	During the UK's forthcoming presidency of the EU the Government intend to treat combating trafficking in human beings as one of their justice and home affairs priorities. We are committed to agreeing a wide ranging EU action plan before the end of 2005 and will jointly host with Eurojust a conference focusing on investigating and prosecuting traffickers. We are considering other ways of highlighting this issue during our presidencies of the G8 and EU, both at ministerial and official levels.
	The Government are committed to tackling trafficking in human beings, domestically and internationally, and are determined that the measures we take bring the criminals responsible for it to justice, while protecting the victims of trafficking, but without undermining our ability to control our borders.

Human Trafficking

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to control the trafficking of human beings into the UK.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 13 June 2005
	The Government are committed to tackling trafficking in human beings and have a comprehensive strategy including legislation, law enforcement, prevention, international co-operation and support of victims. We provide £20 million annually to Reflex, the multi-agency task force which co-ordinates the law enforcement response to organised immigration crime including people trafficking. Reflex operations continue to result in the disruption of organised crime groups.
	The Serious Organised Crime Agency, due to become operational in April 2006, will have a strong focus on tackling organised immigration crime.
	We have made human trafficking a priority during our EU presidency. We want to encourage greater police co-operation through EUROPOL and the sharing of best practice on investigations and prosecutions.
	To be truly effective, the Government have recognised that they must also tackle trafficking at the source. There are a range of schemes in source countries, involving FCO and DfID, aimed at raising awareness of trafficking. We are also involved in capacity building work in source and transit countries.

Hunting Act (Policing Costs)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to date of policing the Hunting Act 2004.

Hazel Blears: The Association of Chief Police Officers informs me that this information has not been collected as a separate cost. It would therefore be very difficult to establish such costs from general policing costs in the countryside.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the penalty will be for those unwilling to pay the £1,000 civil penalty for not obtaining an identity card.

Tony McNulty: Clause 6 of the Identity Cards Bill enables the Secretary of State to make an order imposing an obligation on individuals of a specified description to be entered in the Register. An individual could only be required to register once Parliament has agreed via a super-affirmative" procedure to make registration compulsory. An individual who fails to register when required to do so under clause 6 will be liable to a civil penalty not exceeding £2,500.
	Where an individual fails to satisfy his obligations under clause 6 subsections (2) and (3), he is liable for a further civil penalty not exceeding £2,500 in respect of each time the Secretary of State gives him notice requiring him to make an application and he fails to do so before the set deadline.
	The Secretary of State must issue a code of practice setting out the matters that he will consider when determining the amount to be imposed by way of a civil penalty and before issuing the code, the Secretary of State must lay a draft of it before Parliament.
	The Secretary of State must have regard to the code when imposing a civil penalty or considering a notice of objection under clause 34.
	Clause 33 of the Bill sets out the requirements that apply to the Secretary of State when imposing a notice of a civil penalty. A person may object to the Secretary of State about the imposition of the civil penalty on the grounds that: he is not liable for it, that the circumstances of the contravention make the imposition of the penalty unreasonable or that the amount of the penalty is too high. This is set out in clause 34 of the Bill. A person may also appeal against the imposition of a civil penalty, as set out on clause 35 of the Bill, to the county court in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or to the Sheriff in Scotland.
	In the case of non-payment of a civil penalty the Secretary of State will enforce the debt through the civil courts.

Identity Cards

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment what the penalties will be for UK residents who refuse to register for the proposed identity card.

Tony McNulty: An individual who refused to comply with the registration requirements when applying for a document designated under clause 4 of the Identity Cards Bill (such as a passport) would not be issued with the designated document.
	Clause 6 of the Identity Cards Bill enables the Secretary of State to make an order imposing an obligation on individuals of a specified description to be entered in the Register. An individual could only be required to register once Parliament has agreed via a super-affirmative" procedure to make registration compulsory. An individual who fails to register when required to do so under clause six will be liable to a civil penalty not exceeding £2,500.
	Where an individual fails to satisfy his obligations under clause 6 subsections (2) and (3), he is liable for a further civil penalty not exceeding £2,500 in respect of each time the Secretary of State gives him notice requiring him to make an application and he fails to do so before the set deadline.
	The Secretary of State must issue a code of practice setting out the matters that he will consider when determining the amount to be imposed by way of a civil penalty and before issuing the code, the Secretary of State must lay a draft of it before Parliament. The Secretary of State must have regard to the code when imposing a civil penalty or considering a notice of objection under clause 34.
	Clause 33 of the Bill sets out the requirements that apply to the Secretary of State when imposing a notice of a civil penalty. A person may object to the Secretary of State about the imposition of the civil penalty on the grounds that: he is not liable for it, that the circumstances of the contravention make the imposition of the penalty unreasonable or that the amount of the penalty is too high. This is set out in clause 34 of the Bill. A person may also appeal against the imposition of a civil penalty, as set out on clause 35 of the Bill, to the county court in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or to the Sheriff in Scotland.
	In the case of non-payment of a civil penalty the Secretary of State will enforce the debt through the civil courts.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment what assessment he has made of the likely effects of identity cards on vulnerable groups in society.

Tony McNulty: We are taking close consideration of the needs of vulnerable groups in designing the requirements for the identity cards system.
	The Special Issues ID cards research conducted at the end of 2004 and the United Kingdom Passport Service biometric enrolment trial published in May 2005 have consulted a range of faith, race and nationality groups as well as stakeholders representing people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups (for example organisations representing blind people, deaf people, the elderly and physically and mentally disabled, transgender groups, Gypsies or the homeless).
	Consultations with groups representing more vulnerable groups in society will continue to ensure that their requirements are fed into the design of the scheme.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment whether there are plans to include (a) DNA and (b) medical records on the National Identity Register in the second stage of the identity cards process.

Tony McNulty: The Identity Cards Scheme is not proposing to use DNA as one of the biometric identifiers. Clause 43 of the Identity Cards Bill defines biometric information as data about a person's external characteristics, e.g. facial image, iris pattern or fingerprints and therefore excludes DNA. DNA is not included in the list of information at Schedule one of the Identity Cards Bill that may be held on the National Identity Register and there is no power under Clause five of the Bill (applications relating to entries in the Register) for the Secretary of State to require a person to provide a DNA sample.
	The Identity Cards Scheme is not proposing to include medical records on the National Identity Register. Clause one and Schedule one of the Identity Cards Bill sets out what information could be held on the Register. In general the storage of medical information on the Register would not be allowed by the Bill as medical information does not fall within the definition of registerable facts as set out in Clause 1(5) of the Bill.
	The Bill does allow for the storage of voluntary information with the consent of both the person who is registered and the Secretary of State.

Identity Cards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions for financially disadvantaged individuals will be made to offset the cost of the proposed identification cards.

Tony McNulty: The Identity Cards Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to set fees to cover the costs of the scheme, subject to Parliament's consent. This is set out in clause 37 of the Bill. No decisions have yet been made on the fee schedule or concessionary fees and the final say will rest with Parliament.

Identity Cards

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether consent in the proposed Identity Card Bill will be defined by reference to Directive 95/46/EC.

Tony McNulty: Clause 14 of the Identity Cards Bill as introduced into Parliament on 25 May 2005 contains provisions relating to situations in which a card-holder authorises, or otherwise consents to, a service provider's checking the national identity register against his identity card. The clause restricts the information which may be provided to a subset of information confirming identity. Clause 14 does not define consent as it is a commonly used and understood term.

Identity Cards

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the access that the police, security services and tax officials will be given to any national register established under legislation on identity cards.

Tony McNulty: Other than properly authorised staff involved in the administration of the scheme no individual or organisation will have direct access to the National Identity Register itself.
	Instead they will be allowed to verify information, or in certain circumstances, be able to obtain some information from the Register through the proposed agency. However, information from the Register can only be provided if specifically authorised by or under the powers in the Identity Cards Bill.
	In the case of police, security services and tax officials, this can occur both with consent, as outlined in Clause 14 in the Identity Cards Bill and also without cardholder consent as long as it is within terms of Clauses 19–23.
	Powers to provide information without consent in Clauses 19–23 are strictly limited. Information may be disclosed without consent to Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of carrying out their functions.
	The Police and the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs may also be provided with information held on the scheme but the type of information and the circumstances in which it may be provided are limited by Clauses 19(3), 19(4) and 20(4). Clause 20(4) in particular limits the provision of information on when a person's record on the Register has been checked to purposes connected with the prevention and detection of serious crime.
	The Bill ensures that provision of information without consent will be properly regulated and subject to independent oversight. Unauthorised disclosure of information from the Register is a criminal offence under Clause 29 of the Bill.

Immigration and Asylum

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were in receipt of section 4 support on (a) 1 January 2004, (b) 1 July 2004, (c) 1 December 2004, (d) 1 January 2005, (e) 1 February 2005 and (f) 1 March 2005.

Tony McNulty: The information is not available in the precise format requested. The information available is as follows:
	
		Number of people supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 broken down by region
		
			 Region Number supported as at 1 April 2005(12) 
		
		
			 East Midlands 440 
			 East of England 25 
			 Greater London 475 
			 North East 320 
			 North West 965 
			 Scotland 100 
			 South East 40 
			 South West 185 
			 Wales 155 
			 West Midlands 1,140 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,335 
			 Total 5,180 
		
	
	(12)Numbers are provisional and rounded to nearest 5. As a consequence they may not sum due to rounding

Immigration and Asylum

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are being held in Prison Service establishments.

Tony McNulty: Quarterly snapshots are published showing the number of people detained under Immigration Act powers on the last Saturday of each quarter.
	The number of individuals recorded as having sought asylum at some stage detained in Prison Service establishments solely under Immigration Act powers as at 26 March 2005 was 125. This figure has been rounded to the nearest five, in accordance with National Statistics protocols.
	Information on persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers is published on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website athttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Immigration and Asylum

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers are in receipt of section 4 support, broken down by (a) nationality, (b) regional location, (c) type of accommodation provided and (d) accommodation provider.

Tony McNulty: Information on the number of failed asylum seekers in receipt of support under section 4 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 1999 is provided in the table. Information on the nationality of those in receipt of support is not readily available and could be produced only by examination of individual records. Information on the type of accommodation provided by individual providers is provided in the table.
	
		List of section 4 accommodation providers and type of support provided
		
			   Name of provider Total number of asylum seekers including dependants supported(13)Type of support provided 
		
		
			 M&Q 3,980 Accommodation and vouchers for food 
			 RCA 365 Accommodation and vouchers for food 
			 YMCA 180 Mixture of full board accommodation (including food) and accommodation only with vouchers for food 
			 Clearsprings 205 Accommodation and vouchers for food 
			 Angel 260 Mixture of full board accommodation (including food) and accommodation only with vouchers for food 
			 Caradon 195 Accommodation and vouchers for food 
			 Others 5 Accommodation and vouchers for food 
		
	
	(13)All figures are provisional and rounded to nearest 5. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
	
		Number of people supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 broken down by region
		
			 Region Number supported as at 1 April 2005(14) 
		
		
			 East Midlands 440 
			 East of England 25 
			 Greater London 475 
			 North east 320 
			 North west 965 
			 Scotland 100 
			 South east 40 
			 South west 185 
			 Wales 155 
			 West Midlands 1,140 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,335 
			 Total 5,180 
		
	
	(14)Numbers are provisional and rounded to nearest 5. As a consequence they may not sum due to rounding.

Immigration and Asylum

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his target timetable is for clearing the backlog of decisions on applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain by failed asylum seekers who were granted Exceptional Leave to Remain; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The current aim is to reduce the backlog of applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain from persons who were granted Exceptional Leave to Remain to levels consistent with meeting service standards by March 2006.

Immigration and Asylum

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of measures he has taken to control (a) illegal immigration and (b) unfounded asylum claims.

Tony McNulty: We have already made significant improvements to border controls by expanding our juxtaposed controls, deploying new detection technology and increasing our airline liaison network overseas. This has had a significant impact both on deterring illegal immigration and reducing asylum intake.
	Recent measures to tackle unfounded asylum applications have been very successful—the number of claims (and unfounded claims) has reduced significantly since 2002. We are taking further steps to deal with this issue, as set out in the five year strategy for asylum and immigration, Controlling our Borders: Making migration work for Britain" which was published in February 2005 [Cm 6472]. This includes plans to introduce faster, tightly-managed processes for all new asylum claimants and maintaining existing detained processes alongside new, faster, non- detained processes which are currently being developed and will be implemented in phases.

Interception of Communications

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made in relation to the interception of communications under (a) the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and (b) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for each year since such complaints have been permitted; and how many complaints were upheld in each year.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The records of the Interception of Communications Tribunal show that the number of complaints they received since its inception were as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1985–86 (15)30 
			 1987 45 
			 1988 30 
			 1989 49 
			 1990 59 
			 1991 58 
			 1992 44 
			 1993 41 
			 1994 37 
			 1995 64 
			 1996 52 
			 1997 79 
			 1998 75 
			 1999 69 
			 2000–01 (16)60 
		
	
	(15)First year of operation
	(16)Last year of operation
	The Interception of Communications Tribunal found that there had been no contravention of sections 2 to 5 of IOCA. Consequently, no complaints were upheld.
	(b) The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), established under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), came into being on 2 October 2000. From that date the IPT assumed responsibility for the jurisdiction previously held by, amongst others, the Interception of Communications Tribunal.
	In his Annual Reports to the Prime Minister, the Interception of Communications Commissioner explained that complaints to the IPT could not be easily categorised" under the three tribunal system that existed before RIPA (i.e. the Interception of Communications Tribunal, the Security Service Tribunal and the Intelligence Services Tribunal). Consequently it is not possible to detail the number of complaints lodged with the IPT that relate to the interception of communications that would have previously been considered by the Interception of Communications Tribunal.
	The total number of complaints received by the IPT are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000 (17)11 
			 2001 91 
			 2002 130 
			 2003 109 
			 2004 (18)— 
		
	
	(17)First three months of operation
	(18)Figures to be published soon in the Commissioner's Annual 2004 Report
	On no occasion did the Investigatory Powers Tribunal conclude that there had been a contravention of RIPA or the Human Rights Act 1998. Consequently, no complaints were upheld.
	The Investigatory Powers Tribunal, like the Interception of Communications Tribunal before it, is a wholly independent body made up of senior members of the legal profession.

Israel

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Israeli authorities concerning the passage through the Separation Wall of farmers from the Jayyous area to their land.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	While Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, we consider that the construction of the barrier on occupied land is unlawful. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised his concerns about the route of the barrier with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom during his visit to Israel on 7 June.
	Diplomats at the British Consulate General in Jerusalem monitor conditions in Jayyous, where the impact of the barrier on the local Palestinian population is especially severe. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv has made specific representations to the Israeli Government on the impact of its actions in this area.

Licensed Premises (Violent Crime)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises there were in each police area in each year from 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The available information is for 2002–03 and 2003–04 and is given in the table. Information for earlier years is not currently available.
	These figures relate to violence recorded by the police rather than violence committed. Therefore they should not be taken as a complete illustration of the number of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises.
	For example, in certain areas where alcohol-related violence is particularly prevalent, local police are more likely to police city centres on Friday and Saturday nights thus recording more incidents of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises. If football-related violence is a problem, the choice to send police officers to the match will undoubtedly lead to more violent crime being recorded than if they did not attend. There are other examples, such as the pro-active policing of antisocial behaviour.
	
		Number of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises by force for 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			 Force 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 1,922 2,574 
			 Bedfordshire 693 762 
			 Cambridgeshire 584 750 
			 Cheshire 504 806 
			 Cleveland 588 1,615 
			 Cumbria 488 600 
			 Derbyshire n/a n/a 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,960 3,580 
			 Dorset 813 752 
			 Durham n/a n/a 
			 Dyfed-Powys 584 816 
			 Essex n/a 1,756 
			 Gloucestershire 707 864 
			 Greater Manchester n/a 1,620 
			 Gwent 670 791 
			 Hampshire 1,717 2,417 
			 Hertfordshire 804 1,005 
			 Humberside 821 1,007 
			 Kent 551 813 
			 Lancashire 2,653 3,910 
			 Leicestershire 1,155 1,323 
			 Lincolnshire n/a 607 
			 London, City of 159 151 
			 Merseyside n/a n/a 
			 Metropolitan police n/a n/a 
			 Norfolk 521 540 
			 Northamptonshire 1,083 1,043 
			 Northumbria 1,850 1,767 
			 North Wales 963 967 
			 North Yorkshire n/a 1,124 
			 Nottinghamshire n/a n/a 
			 South Wales 3,140 2,895 
			 South Yorkshire 1,624 1,581 
			 Staffordshire 1,927 2,424 
			 Suffolk 808 993 
			 Surrey 562 794 
			 Sussex n/a n/a 
			 Thames Valley 1,960 2,146 
			 Warwickshire 839 932 
			 West Mercia n/a 882 
			 West Midlands 3,731 4,140 
			 West Yorkshire 3,327 2,017 
			 Wiltshire n/a 373 
		
	
	n/a=not available.

Magic Mushrooms

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice provided to him by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in relation to the change in the law on magic mushrooms under the Drugs Act 2005.

Paul Goggins: The Advisory Council was informed of the clarification of the law on magic mushrooms in a letter from the Home Office on 6 December 2004. The Chair of the Advisory Council, Sir Michael Rawlins wrote to me on 2 June setting out the Advisory Council's support for the measure. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Missing Children

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were reported to the police as missing from home in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) region, (b) age and (c) gender.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office does not collect data on the number of children who go missing from home.

National Firearms Register

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, and at what cost to public funds the National Firearms Register became operational; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government remain fully committed to a National Firearms Licensing Management System (NFLMS). The main purpose of pilot testing is to reveal any potential problems that may arise. Acceptance testing last summer did highlight a number of issues but a full investigation was launched immediately to resolve them and to re-instate the roll-out programme. The NFLMS is scheduled to start going live on 11 July 2005 and will be ready for forces to take once it has been successfully signed off.
	The total cost of the project to date is in the region of £5.4 million.

Offences Against the Person Act

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section16 (as amended), for repeated threats to kill in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Hazel Blears: The data contained in the table gives the number of defendants proceeded against for making threats to kill" under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, Section 16 (as amended), England and Wales 2002 to 2003.
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number of defendants proceeded against for making threats to kill" under Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 16(as amended)(19)England and Wales 2002 to 2003
		
			  Proceeded against 
		
		
			 2002 3,462 
			 2003 3,721 
		
	
	(19)These data are on the principal offence basis.

Overseas Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the allegations of overseas corruption held by the National Criminal Intelligence Service come from (a) Africa, (b) Latin America, (c) the Caribbean, (d) the Middle East, (e) North Africa, (f) North America, (g) Central Asia, (h) South Asia, (i) Europe and (j) the Pacific.

Hazel Blears: The information is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 (a) Africa 15 
			 (b) Latin America 2 
			 (c) The Caribbean 2 
			 (d) The Middle East 5 
			 (e) North Africa 0 
			 (f) North America 3 
			 (g) Central Asia 0 
			 (h) South Asia 4 
			 (i) Europe 11 
			 (j) The Pacific 1

Overseas Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegations are on the register of allegations of overseas corruption held by theNational Criminal Intelligence Service.

Hazel Blears: The National Criminal Intelligence Service currently has 44 referrals on the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act register.

Pedicabs/Rickshaws

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the police about parking and traffic offences committed by the riders of pedicabs or rickshaws.

Hazel Blears: I have held no discussions specifically on this issue.

Pedicabs/Rickshaws

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the police about assaults committed by the riders of pedicabs or rickshaws.

Hazel Blears: I have had no discussions specifically on this issue. Investigation of offences is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

Pedicabs/Rickshaws

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parking and (b) traffic offences have been committed by the riders of pedicabs and rickshaws in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: It is not possible to identify how many riders of pedicabs or rickshaws have been convicted of these offences from the data held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database, as this information is not centrally collected.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are subject to (a) internal investigations and (b) disciplinary proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information about the number of police officers subject to internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings is not held centrally by the Home Office. It could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the forms completed by the police following (a) the report of a criminal offence and (b) the arrest of a suspect.

Hazel Blears: A crime report form will be completed following every report of a criminal offence. Depending on the nature of the offence reported, a witness and/or victim statement will be taken at the beginning of the investigation.
	For a person arrested and taken to the police station, a custody record will be completed in all cases. A custody record must be made under Section 37(4) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 by the custody officer for every person detained in a police station before charge. The content and number of entries will vary according to what happens to the detained person, the period of detention, the course of the investigation and the outcome.

Police

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines (a) his Department and (b) the Association of Chief Police Officers have issued to police forces on the destruction of (i) paper-based and (ii) computer-based files and crime reports; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office does not issue guidance on these matters. I understand that the following relevant guidelines have been issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO): General Rules for Criminal Record Weeding on Police Systems (issued November 2000); ACPO Data Protection Code of Practice (October 2002); Guidance on the Disposal and Retention of Police Records (November 2003). The Rules for Criminal Record Weeding are currently under active review and will be replaced by new Retention Guidelines.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attacks there have been on police officers in each of the last five years, broken down by police authority; how many people have been successfully prosecuted for carrying out such attacks; how many prosecutions are ongoing; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 15 June 2005
	The available information relates to offences of assault on a constable. Table l gives the number of offences recorded by the police by police force area for 1999–2000 to 2003–04. Because of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002, figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.
	Table 2 gives the number of persons found guilty of such offences and covers the period 1999 to 2000.
	Because recorded crime data relates to offences and court proceedings data relates to defendants, the two datasets are not directly comparable.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences of assault on a constable, England and Wales 1999–2000 to 2003–04 -- Number of offences
		
			 Police force area 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03(20) 2003–04 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 305 312 319 405 534 
			 Bedfordshire 258 210 241 343 313 
			 Cambridgeshire 216 238 251 281 260 
			 Cheshire 522 483 554 617 724 
			 Cleveland 93 133 206 314 236 
			 Cumbria 212 145 204 181 183 
			 Derbyshire 610 571 634 848 399 
			 Devon and Cornwall 628 646 646 671 430 
			 Dorset 270 287 403 494 330 
			 Durham 1,032 1,077 1,248 1,078 181 
			 Dyfed-Powys 266 261 308 344 225 
			 Essex 410 352 352 498 578 
			 Gloucestershire 252 261 206 275 191 
			 Greater Manchester 1,891 1,905 1,972 2,016 796 
			 Gwent 530 641 505 595 316 
			 Hampshire 578 636 688 976 1,008 
			 Hertfordshire 257 304 387 449 702 
			 Humberside 523 509 538 754 439 
			 Kent 722 620 635 851 755 
			 Lancashire 973 1,239 1,366 1,536 814 
			 Leicestershire 213 315 337 447 432 
			 Lincolnshire 223 178 218 281 160 
			 London, City of 37 30 39 45 34 
			 Merseyside 1,237 1,429 1,361 1,651 979 
			 Metropolitan police 1,401 1,367 1,269 1,908 2,796 
			 Norfolk 457 405 439 549 444 
			 Northamptonshire 392 331 305 353 305 
			 Northumbria 1,018 1,171 1,176 1,608 588 
			 North Wales 298 445 434 550 246 
			 North Yorkshire 508 426 449 582 274 
			 Nottinghamshire 433 477 543 452 509 
			 South Wales 720 868 893 1032 700 
			 South Yorkshire 756 923 785 689 434 
			 Staffordshire 690 748 661 792 525 
			 Suffolk 245 255 297 362 321 
			 Surrey 209 266 223 288 413 
			 Sussex 760 891 1,120 1,089 625 
			 Thames Valley 826 802 1,254 1,527 709 
			 Warwickshire 286 258 259 310 233 
			 West Mercia 640 587 768 845 523 
			 West Midlands 2,606 3,234 3,811 2,817 360 
			 West Yorkshire 1,388 1,488 1,503 1,695 634 
			 Wiltshire 224 276 288 345 269 
			 Total 26,115 28,000 30,095 33,743 21,927 
		
	
	(20)The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2005. Because of this, figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.
	
		Table 2: Defendants found guilty at all courts for assault on a constable(21), by police force area—England and Wales, 1999–2003(22) -- Number
		
			 Police force area 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 158 172 208 174 257 
			 Bedfordshire 57 54 52 59 88 
			 Cambridgeshire 75 71 72 74 88 
			 Cheshire 110 112 103 101 137 
			 City of London 6 8 9 10 11 
			 Cleveland 39 42 59 64 90 
			 Cumbria 68 53 59 55 91 
			 Derbyshire 148 124 122 140 181 
			 Devon and Cornwall 206 202 197 191 236 
			 Dorset 56 79 67 96 111 
			 Durham 105 110 119 117 105 
			 Essex 120 129 124 179 222 
			 Gloucestershire 90 85 83 71 66 
			 Greater Manchester 298 309 292 302 371 
			 Hampshire 293 262 239 303 386 
			 Hertfordshire 78 75 87 101 159 
			 Humberside 111 122 85 116 143 
			 Kent 223 217 180 228 281 
			 Lancashire 243 246 243 263 257 
			 Leicestershire 105 108 117 113 157 
			 Lincolnshire 39 46 75 68 66 
			 Merseyside 156 181 200 206 290 
			 Metropolitan police 737 755 682 778 1,054 
			 Norfolk 120 94 128 121 130 
			 North Yorkshire 76 73 61 80 86 
			 Northamptonshire 74 81 52 54 72 
			 Northumbria 205 233 233 200 250 
			 Nottinghamshire 147 142 144 120 128 
			 South Yorkshire 118 131 134 130 175 
			 Staffordshire(23) 151  124 130 147 
			 Suffolk 58 60 65 84 117 
			 Surrey 69 83 78 100 113 
			 Sussex 152 160 169 164 192 
			 Thames Valley 121 114 105 124 126 
			 Warwickshire 44 51 59 54 54 
			 West Mercia 140 131 145 134 156 
			 West Midlands 351 345 413 442 425 
			 West Yorkshire 160 161 131 154 210 
			 Wiltshire 92 66 78 66 115 
			 Dyfed-Powys 102 90 104 92 82 
			 Gwent 146 152 126 133 110 
			 North Wales 97 79 79 79 96 
			 South Wales 173 197 201 238 253 
			 Total 6,117 6,152 6,103 6,508 7,884 
		
	
	(21)Offence includes assault on a constable under the Police Act 1996 Sec. 89(1) as well as offences against similar provisions in local acts.
	(22)These data are on a principal offence basis.
	(23)Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates' courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

Police

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure West Mercia police force continues to patrol the parish of Pontesbury, Shropshire.

Hazel Blears: The deployment of patrolling officers is an operational matter for the chief constable of West Mercia police force.
	The Government support visible and accessible policing and have made a commitment that by 2008, every area in England and Wales will benefit from dedicated neighbourhood policing teams. These teams will provide a responsive police presence in rural and urban areas.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal accidents involving police service vehicles there were in each year since 1995, broken down by police authority; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Figures for road traffic collisions are currently available from 2002–03.
	The available information for the numbers of casualties and degree of injury from road traffic collisions resulting from immediate/emergency response and police pursuits on public roads involving all police forces in England and Wales is provided in the table.
	
		Degree of injury from road traffic collisions involving all Police forces in England and Wales
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			 Police force area Fatal injury Serious injury Other injury Total Fatal injury Serious injury Other injury Total 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2 7 53 62 2 6 74 82 
			 Bedfordshire 0 2 16 18 1 1 56 58 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 6 6 12 0 4 12 16 
			 Cheshire 0 2 27 29 0 1 17 18 
			 Cleveland 0 0 18 18 1 0 3 4 
			 Cumbria 0 0 8 8 0 0 5 5 
			 Derbyshire 0 0 38 38 0 1 25 26 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 1 26 27 1 1 64 66 
			 Dorset 0 1 10 11 1 2 9 12 
			 Durham (24)— (24)— (24)— (24)— 2 1 36 39 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Essex 0 2 32 34 2 3 36 41 
			 Gloucestershire 0 0 24 24 0 0 4 4 
			 Greater Manchester 4 5 74 83 6 9 56 71 
			 Gwent 0 0 12 12 0 0 24 24 
			 Hampshire 1 7 29 37 0 3 7 10 
			 Hertfordshire 0 6 59 65 0 2 16 18 
			 Humberside 0 3 19 22 0 1 25 26 
			 Kent 0 2 48 50 0 7 73 80 
			 Lancashire 0 1 31 32 0 2 30 32 
			 Leicestershire 1 2 15 18 0 2 16 18 
			 Lincolnshire 0 2 10 12 0 5 18 23 
			 London, City of 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 
			 Merseyside 3 3 62 68 3 6 75 84 
			 Metropolitan Police 5 14 63 82 4 21 600 625 
			 Norfolk 1 1 17 19 1 1 28 30 
			 Northamptonshire 0 1 14 15 1 6 19 26 
			 Northumbria 0 3 62 65 0 3 70 73 
			 North Wales 0 0 18 18 0 1 5 6 
			 North Yorkshire (24)— (24)— (24)— (24)— 0 0 0 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 5 8 15 1 8 57 66 
			 South Wales 0 0 20 20 0 0 9 9 
			 South Yorkshire 0 3 24 27 0 12 67 79 
			 Staffordshire 0 0 26 26 0 1 29 30 
			 Suffolk 0 1 6 7 0 3 11 14 
			 Surrey 0 2 38 40 1 2 33 36 
			 Sussex 0 7 45 52 0 6 27 33 
			 Thames Valley 3 13 115 131 2 11 122 135 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 5 5 0 1 10 11 
			 West Mercia 0 4 30 34 0 2 22 24 
			 West Midlands (24)— (24)— (24)— (24)— 2 2 44 48 
			 West Yorkshire 0 0 15 15 0 0 7 7 
			 Wiltshire 0 0 8 8 0 0 4 4 
			 Total 22 106 1,131 1,259 31 138 1,846 2,015 
		
	
	(24)Data is not available in 2003–04

Police

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had regarding the future of the Bruche police training centre; and what decisions have been made about the future of the centre.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 26 May 2005
	The Bruche police training centre is the property of the Central Police Training and Development Agency (Centrex) and, as such, its future is the responsibility of the Centrex board and the organisation's chief executive, Norman Bettison.
	Centrex are in the process of reviewing and producing an updated version of their estates strategy.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police patrol vehicles, (b) police vans, (c) unmarked police vehicles and (d) other police vehicles are available in each London borough; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Prisons (Staff Vacancies)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff vacancies there were at each (a) prison and (b) young offenders institution on 31 December (i) 2002, (ii) 2003 and (iii)2004; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on staff vacancies against operational staffing requirement at 31 December 2002, 2003 and 2004 for each public sector prison establishment is contained in the table. Operational posts are highlighted separately within the table. The figures represent a snapshot of the staffing position in establishments. Details about levels of vacancies within privately managed establishments are not routinely collected and are therefore not included in the table.
	The Service has had considerable success in filling posts over the past three years and shortfalls among operational staff over the past three years have fallen steadily. To cover vacancies in the short-term certain establishments are allowing officers to work additional hours as part of the 'Contracted Supplementary Hours Scheme'. This scheme contributed the equivalent of 463 full-time officers at 31 December 2004. At that time the total operational staff availability was 25,383 compared with an operational staffing requirement of 25,704, resulting in a Service-wide shortfall of just 1.2 per cent., well within an acceptable operating margin.
	Staffing levels in non-operational roles are more fluid and vacancy figures reflect a number of reviews taking place across the Prison Service and work to introduce greater efficiencies. This led to decisions to leave posts unfilled.
	
		
			  31 December 2002 31 December 2003 31 December 2004 
			 Establishment Officers and operational managers Other staff Officers and operational managers Other staff Officers and operational managers Other staff 
		
		
			 Acklington 27 — — — 2 — 
			 Albany 9 — — — 5 3 
			 Ashwell 13 15 7 11 4 — 
			 Askham Grange 1 — 1 5 — — 
			 Aylesbury 9 — 15 — 5 1 
			 Bedford 24 — 5 3 17 10 
			 Belmarsh 37 33 34 21 36 32 
			 Birmingham 13 7 17 4 21 19 
			 Blakenhurst 1 6 5 — 3 9 
			 Blantyre House 1 1 — — — 3 
			 Blundeston 8 5 1 — 1 13 
			 Brinsford 6 — 10 1 20 16 
			 Bristol 33 21 19 — 10 4 
			 Brixton 1 26 9 8 3 — 
			 Brockhill 3 8 5 13 3 12 
			 Buckley Hall 4 — 8 — — 3 
			 Bullingdon 10 3 27 27 26 31 
			 Bullwood Hall 17 1 10 — 10 — 
			 Camp Hill 8 — 10 13 — — 
			 Canterbury — — — 5 — 11 
			 Cardiff 8 3 7 6 — 8 
			 Castington 15 4 16 — 10 — 
			 Channings Wood 2 — 6 — — — 
			 Chelmsford 12 — 15 16 9 5 
			 Coldingley — 5 — — 3 4 
			 Cookham Wood 14 2 5 — 2 — 
			 Dartmoor — 2 1 1 6 2 
			 Deerbolt — — 6 2 — 26 
			 Dorchester 2 — 3 1 — — 
			 Dover 5 13 3 13 4 13 
			 Downview 16 — 21 5 14 2 
			 Drake Hall 8 — 5 — 4 4 
			 Durham 3 — 6 — — — 
			 East Sutton Park — 1 — — — 2 
			 Eastwood Park 14 3 8 8 9 32 
			 Edmunds Hill 7 29 5 21 17 23 
			 Elmley 1 17 — — — 23 
			 Erlestoke 19 13 8 4 9 7 
			 Everthorpe 1 2 — — — — 
			 Exeter 34 21 2 11 — 5 
			 Featherstone 1 6 1 5 2 15 
			 Feltham 70 35 50 31 70 6 
			 Ford 3 4 6 10 6 6 
			 Foston Hall 1 — 1 8 10 8 
			 Frankland 19 — — — 24 13 
			 Full Sutton 6 1 11 5 9 25 
			 Garth 3 4 7 — 5 1 
			 Gartree — — 7 — 3 14 
			 Glen Parva 14 12 10 19 3 24 
			 Gloucester 6 — 6 — 8 13 
			 Grendon 20 11 6 3 7 — 
			 Guys Marsh 5 — 6 — 4 4 
			 Haslar — — 1 1 1 — 
			 Haverigg 6 2 4 3 5 8 
			 Hewell Grange — 6 1 — 1 3 
			 High Down 30 17 27 — 5 15 
			 Highpoint 9 — 5 1 5 15 
			 Hindley 29 11 15 3 16 12 
			 Hollesley Bay - - 1 2 5 10 
			 Holloway 49 14 - 17 23 3 
			 Holme House 9 — 7 10 10 13 
			 Hull 9 — 4 10 5 15 
			 Huntercombe — 6 1 2 19 22 
			 Kingston 1 1 — 6 3 — 
			 Kirkham — 3 5 8 1 11 
			 Kirklevington Grange — — — 5 — 2 
			 Lancaster 8 — 2 — 2 4 
			 Lancaster Farms 7 20 25 — 8 7 
			 Latchmere House 3 5 1 1 3 4 
			 Leeds — 8 4 — — — 
			 Leicester — 4 5 — 14 — 
			 Lewes 12 8 4 13 4 12 
			 Leyhill 4 6 3 20 4 17 
			 Lincoln 10 17 15 11 9 11 
			 Lindholme 5 — 4 — — — 
			 Littlehey 7 10 12 22 10 21 
			 Liverpool 5 — — 17 5 15 
			 Long Lartin 14 3 17 6 14 23 
			 Low Newton 16 11 5 11 6 1 
			 Maidstone 3 — — 2 — 20 
			 Manchester 3 — 41 30 41 22 
			 Moorland — — — — — — 
			 Morton Hall 5 4 2 5 3 9 
			 New Hall 20 11 19 17 4 6 
			 North Sea Camp 1 4 3 — 5 11 
			 Northallerton — 1 — — 1 9 
			 Norwich 5 9 14 8 10 10 
			 Nottingham — — 4 1 — — 
			 Onley 18 16 11 — 12 27 
			 Parkhurst 12 11 6 — 13 — 
			 Pentonville 9 — 24 — 1 — 
			 Portland 21 7 6 7 8 9 
			 Preston — — 9 — 6 — 
			 Ranby — — 2 — 7 — 
			 Reading 3 1 7 4 1 1 
			 Risley 24 — 5 6 14 2 
			 Rochester 4 — 23 7 — 6 
			 Send 13 10 5 9 13 11 
			 Shepton Mallet 1 1 — 3 — 5 
			 Shrewsbury 1 — 6 — 6 — 
			 Stafford 4 — — — 2 — 
			 Standford Hill 13 10 4 1 3 9 
			 Stocken — — 2 7 6 10 
			 Stoke Heath 12 — 3 — 17 11 
			 Styal 11 27 5 32 — 17 
			 Sudbury — 1 — 1 1 8 
			 Swaleside 7 — 11 2 — 3 
			 Swansea 4 — 1 — 7 14 
			 Swinfen Hall 2 5 4 — 12 16 
			 The Mount 7 1 15 11 16 11 
			 The Verne — — — — — — 
			 Thorn Cross 8 — 8 — 9 6 
			 Usk/Prescoed 7 2 6 9 — — 
			 Wakefield — 3 17 10 — 19 
			 Wandsworth — — 5 2 19 6 
			 Warren Hill 146 127 11 7 9 4 
			 Wayland 2 — — 4 4 7 
			 Wealstun 5 — — 1 — 7 
			 Weare 2 1 1 — 7 4 
			 Wellingborough 7 13 5 6 32 37 
			 Werrington 7 8 5 3 1 4 
			 Wetherby 6 — 4 1 15 2 
			 Whatton 8 6 8 1 — 12 
			 Whitemoor 60 29 28 38 11 57 
			 Winchester 1 — — 37 1 8 
			 Woodhill 50 26 31 39 10 31 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 26 29 21 — — 6 
			 Wymott 4 — 37 53 13 25 
			 Total 1,289 814 978 792 903 —

Race Relations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to ensure that bodies within the responsibility of his Department comply with the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Paul Goggins: The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a general duty on Government Departments to have regard to the need to (a) eliminate unlawful racial discrimination; and (b) promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups. The general duty also applies to a large number of specified public authorities.
	The Home Secretary has also made Orders under the Act to place the specific duties" on named public authorities. The list of bodies subject to the general and specific duties is updated periodically in consultation with the Commission for Racial Equality and other Government Departments. One of these specific duties is to produce a Race Equality Scheme that sets out their arrangements for complying with the Act.
	The Home Office published its revised race equality scheme on 26 May 2005. In addition to the legislative requirements the scheme also sets out key challenges, objectives and targets on race equality. The Home Office race equality scheme encompasses a number of associate schemes such as the Prison Service, United Kingdom Passport Service and National Probation Directorate and includes the associate race equality scheme for Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. The Home Office will continue to ensure that other public bodies comply with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.

Speed Cameras

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many tickets issued following infringements caught on speed cameras have been challenged and upheld in each year since their introduction in (a) Essex and (b) Southend.

Paul Goggins: Information is not available centrally on the number of people prosecuted for speeding offences detected by camera who elect to challenge a fixed penalty notice.

Speed Cameras

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was raised in fines from speed cameras in the Humberside area in each of the past three years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the revenue raised from speed offences detected by camera is not available.
	However the table shows, for the Humberside police force area, the number of fixed penalties ordered to be paid and the number of court fines for such offences in the calendar years 2001 to 2003 (latest available). Information for 2004 is not yet available.
	Not all fines and fixed penalties will have been paid.
	
		Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras(25) within the Humberside police force area, 2001, 2002 and 2003(26) -- Number of offences
		
			  Fixed Penalties Court Proceedings(27) 
			  Number of tickets(28) Estimated revenue(29) (£) Number of fines Total amount of fine (£) Average fine (£) 
		
		
			 2001(30) 13,600 816,200 15 3,150 210 
			 2002(31) 5,300 320,100 11 1,650 150 
			 2003(26) 23,800 1,426,000 10 1,300 127 
		
	
	(25)Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(26)Humberside police joined the Safety Camera Funding Scheme in 2003.
	(27)Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.
	(28)Only covers tickets paid where there is no further action.
	(29)Estimate based on £60 fixed penalty charge.
	(30)A single month's shortfall was found for court proceedings summary motoring offences within Humberside police force in 2001.
	(31)Includes six months fixed penalty notice data only.

Under-age Sales Prosecutions

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many businesses were prosecuted for selling (a) alcohol, (b) glue products and (c) fireworks to people under age in (i) Brent East and (ii) each London borough in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The available information is contained in the tables and gives the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts/London borough, 1999 to 2003 for: selling alcohol and fireworks to persons underage. There were no prosecutions as notified to the Home Office Court Proceedings for retailers supplying intoxicating substances to persons under 18.
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number of defendants(32) proceeded against at magistrates courts for selling alcohol to persons underage"(33), by magistrates courts/London borough, 1999 to 2003
		
			 Magistrate courts/borough 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Inner London magistrates' courts  
			 City of London Police  
			 Guildhall Justice Rooms — — — — — 
			   
			 Metropolitan police  
			 Bow Street 3 — — — — 
			 Camberwell Green/Tower Bridge — — — — — 
			 Greenwich and Woolwich — — — 1 1 
			 Highbury Corner — — — — — 
			 Horseferry Road — — — — 3 
			 Marylebone — — — — — 
			 South Western — — — — — 
			 Thames — — — — — 
			 West London — — 2 — — 
			   
			 Outer London boroughs  
			 Metropolitan Police  
			 Barking and Dagenham — — — — 2 
			 Barnet — — — 1 3 
			 Bexley — 1 — — 4 
			 Brent — — — 3 2 
			 Bromley — — 1 1 — 
			 Croydon — — — — — 
			 Ealing — — — — — 
			 Enfield — — — — 10 
			 Haringey — — — — 43 
			 Harrow 4 — — — 4 
			 Havering — 1 — — 9 
			 Hillingdon 2 — — — 13 
			 Hounslow — — — — — 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames — — — 3 1 
			 Merton — — — — — 
			 Newham 1 — — — — 
			 Redbridge 2 — — 1 4 
			 Richmond upon Thames — — — 1 3 
			 Sutton 3 — 16 1 1 
			 Waltham Forest — — — — 10 
			   
			 Total Metropolitan Police 15 2 19 12 113 
			   
			 Total Greater London 15 2 19 12 113 
		
	
	(32)These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(33)Includes: Selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18 for consumption on the premises" and Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to person under 18".

Vehicle Recovery Costs

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles were recovered by police forces in each of the last 10 years; and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information on stolen vehicles recovered ceased to be collected from 2001–02. Prior to that date the available figures were published annually in chapter 2 of the Command Paper Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". Copies of the all the relevant publications are available in the Library.
	Information is not collected centrally on the cost of recovery of stolen vehicles.

Victim Support National Office

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the paper approved by the National Council of Victim Support in March on an external review of the role, scope and location of the Victim Support National Office; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has no formal seat on Victim Support's National Council; and has not therefore conducted an assessment of the paper submitted to the organisation's National Council.
	As a condition of grant in aid the Home Office requires Victim Support to have a management and organisational structure capable of delivering Criminal Justice System objectives effectively, economically and efficiently. The Home Office expects Victim Support to maximise the use of staff skills, volunteers' skills and other resources and to deliver good value for money.

Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will publish the research carried out by London Metropolitan University into section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999;
	(2)  what audit is carried out by his Department of the applications made to admit previous sexual history in rape trials.

Paul Goggins: Provisions on the admission of evidence and questioning relating to previous sexual history in criminal proceedings are set out in sections 41 to 43 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The Home Office commissioned London Metropolitan University to carry out during 2003–04 research on the working of these provisions. The findings of this research are due to be published this autumn. Although the statistical data requested are not identifiable within the data regularly collected centrally, this research study is expected to provide some information on the proportion of rape trials in which applications to admit previous sexual history evidence are made and the success rate of applications.

Zimbabwe

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government will implement the UNHCR's recommendation for states to suspend all removals to Zimbabwe.

Tony McNulty: Asylum and human rights claims by Zimbabwean nationals are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European convention on human rights (ECHR). As with any other nationality, Zimbabweans who meet the definition of a refugee in the 1951 Convention are granted asylum. If they do not qualify for asylum, but there are other circumstances that make them particularly vulnerable and engage our obligations under the ECHR, they are granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave. If their application is refused, they have a right of appeal to the independent Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. In this way we ensure that we provide protection to those Zimbabweans who need it.
	Each application is considered against the background of the latest available country information from a wide range of reliable sources including international organisations, non-governmental organisations and the media. In addition, we are in continual dialogue with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about country conditions in Zimbabwe.
	Asylum decisions are based on the circumstances of the individual claimant and, while we are aware of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' advice based on a general assessment of conditions in Zimbabwe, that does not mean that it would be unsafe for failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers to return to Zimbabwe. Where it is clear that there are Zimbabweans in need of international protection and the asylum system will continue to provide that, but if an asylum and human rights claim is refused, and any appeal to the independent Asylum and Immigration Tribunal is unsuccessful, that means that it would be safe for that particular individual to return to Zimbabwe.

HEALTH

Abortion

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthhow much has been given in grants to support abortion clinics outside the NHS in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not provided any grants to approved independent sector abortion clinics in the last five years. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for providing reproductive health services which meet the needs of their local populations. Some may choose to contract services with the independent sector. No information is collected centrally on PCT expenditure on the provision of abortion services in non-national health service settings.

Acts of Parliament (Internet Access)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which her Department is responsible available online.

Jane Kennedy: The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO have considered the publication of Acts prior to 1988, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but have decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a statute law database, which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.

Alcohol Programmes

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the NHS on (a) alcohol awareness programmes and (b) alcohol-related treatment in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: Primary care trusts are responsible for providing alcohol services and programmes from their core budgets. There are no centrally held figures on such expenditure. The Department has commissioned a national alcohol needs assessment for England, which will be published in July 2005.

Allergy Specialists

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Health Select Committee in November 2004 that 40 new allergy specialists should be trained in the national health service.

Liam Byrne: In its response to the Health Committee report on the provision of allergy services, the Government undertook to carry out a review of the available data and research on the epidemiology of allergic conditions, the demand for and provision of treatment and the effectiveness of relevant interventions. The Chief Medical Officer is overseeing this review of the evidence, which we hope to complete by the end of June 2006. It will inform decisions about what steps could be taken to address any gaps and pressures that it reveals.

Asthma

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) adults and (b) children in Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust have been recorded as suffering from asthma in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the requested format. However, information relating to the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) for the Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust (PCT) area are shown in the tables. The data is split into age groups: 0 to 17 years—children and 18 years and over—adult.
	
		Count of FCEs for asthma (ICD-10 Codes = J45, J46), PCT of residence—Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth. Data years: 1997–98 to 2003–04 -- Table 1. Primary diagnosis count of episodes where asthma is the primary diagnosis
		
			  Age group 
			  0–17 years 18 years and over 
		
		
			 1997–98 143 171 
			 1998–99 83 137 
			 1999–2000 100 140 
			 2000–01 86 106 
			 2001–02 98 135 
			 2002–03 75 104 
			 2003–04 68 129 
		
	
	
		Table 2. Primary diagnosis count of episodes where asthma is mentioned in any of the primary or secondary diagnosis fields.
		
			  Age group 
			  0–17 years 18 years and over 
		
		
			 1997–98 177 320 
			 1998–99 124 273 
			 1999–2000 133 330 
			 2000–01 145 331 
			 2001–02 119 400 
			 2002–03 102 389 
			 2003–04 104 423 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	2.Hospital episode statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 national health service trusts and PCTs in England. The Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.
	3.The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	4.As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 2002–03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	5.All Diagnoses count of episodes" figures represent a count of all FCE's where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in a HES record.
	6.Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, that is the data is ungrossed.
	Source:
	HES, Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Breast Cancer (Waiting Times)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to introduce a target to measure the period between GP referral and first outpatient appointment for women suffering from breast cancer but routinely referred; and how she plans to monitor the time women wait.

Rosie Winterton: The target that women with suspected breast cancer should be seen by a specialist within two weeks of urgent referral by their general practitioner was introduced in April 1999 and currently 99.8 per cent. of women are seen within this target. The Labour Party manifesto gave the commitment that all women with breast symptoms should be seen within two weeks of referral by their GP by 2008. Details of the introduction of this commitment and how it will be monitored are being finalised.

CAT/MRI Scanners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals are operating (a) NHS-owned and (b) privately-owned (i) CAT scanners and (ii) MRI scanners on NHS premises.

Rosie Winterton: There are approximately 267 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and 361 computed tomography (CT) fixed site scanners installed in national health service hospitals. Of these, 42 MRI scanners and 30 CT scanners are leased from privately-owned providers.
	In addition, during July 2004-April 2005, 85 NHS sites also received mobile MRI scanning services as part of the Alliance Medical mobile MRI procurement programme.
	Information on hospitals with MRI and CT scanners and NHS sites which have received mobile services has been placed in the Library.

Childhood Leukaemia (Power Lines)

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans she has to fund research projects into whether electromagnetic fields are a cause of childhood leukaemia;
	(2)  what advice she is giving to (a) other Government Departments and (b) local authorities with regard to the construction of new homes and schools in the vicinity of overhead power lines following publication of the Draper Report.

Caroline Flint: The Department provides funding under its radiation protection research programme for investigating the potential biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields at power frequencies. The work by Dr. Draper and colleagues on leukaemia and distance from power lines, recently published in the British Medical Journal, was funded under this programme (BMJ Vol. 330, 4 June 2005). The Department, together with the Health and Safety Executive, has also supported the World Health Organization (WHO) electromagnetic fields project since 1997. The WHO is due to review the health risks from power frequency fields later this year. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has statutory responsibilities to advise on health risks from electromagnetic exposure and undertakes its own research to support this advice.
	In 2004, on the basis of a comprehensive review of the existing body of research to date, the HPA's radiation protection division, previously the National Radiological Protection Board, recommended that in view of the scientific uncertainties the Government consider the need for further precautionary measures" in relation to power frequency electromagnetic fields. It has also noted that the majority of higher magnetic fields are due to variations in the electricity supply and distribution system, the presence of substations and equipment in the home rather than proximity to power lines. Practical precautionary measures are now being considered in detail by a stakeholder group that includes Government Departments, agencies, the electricity industry, specialists and public concern groups. The latest work by Dr. Draper has increased the interest in these issues but the complex nature of the scientific and social issues mean that no immediate decisions will be made.

Childhood Leukaemia (Power Lines)

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking following the findings of the Draper report on the relationship between childhood leukaemia and proximity to high voltage power lines.

Caroline Flint: The recent publication by Dr. Draper and colleagues on leukaemia and distance from powerlines have reinforced the need for continued departmental support for research into the causes of leukaemia and the role of electromagnetic fields (EMF). Measurements of EMF will be included in the next phase of Dr. Draper's work. The Department, together with the Health and Safety Executive, is continuing to fund the World Health Organisation (WHO) EMF project that started in 1997. The WHO is due to review the health risks from power frequency fields later this year.
	The Health Protection Agency's (HPA) radiation protection division (RPD), which have statutory responsibilities to advise on health risks from electromagnetic field exposure, also undertakes research in support of its advice. In 2004, the HPA-RPD, when it was the National Radiological Protection Board, published a comprehensive scientific review in support of its new EMF guidelines. It recommended that, in view of the scientific uncertainties in relation to power frequency EMF, the Government should
	consider the need for further precautionary measures".
	The HPA have also noted that the majority of higher magnetic fields are due to variations in the electricity supply and distribution system, the presence of substations and equipment in the home rather than proximity to power lines.
	In addition to funding research, therefore, the Department is leading a stakeholder group to consider practical precautionary measures. The group includes Government departments, agencies, the electricity industry, specialists and public concern groups. The latest work by Dr. Draper has increased the interest in these issues but the complex nature of the scientific and social issues mean that no immediate decisions will be made.

Childhood Leukaemia (Power Lines)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research her Department has carried out into (a) the causes of childhood leukaemia and (b) whether there is a link with electromagnetic fields;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of whether there is a link between electricity pylons and cancer in children; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department provides funding under its radiation protection research programme for investigating the potential biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields at power frequencies. The work by Dr. Draper and colleagues on leukaemia and distance from power lines, recently published in the British Medical Journal, was funded under this programme (BMJ Vol. 330, 4 June 2005). Electromagnetic field measurements will be included in the next phase of this study.
	Details of other research concerned with childhood leukaemia supported by the National Cancer Research Institute's 15 partners, the largest Government and charitable funders of cancer research in the United Kingdom, can be found on the international cancer research portfolio database at www.cancerportfolio.org/faq.js#icrp.
	The Department, together with the Health and Safety Executive, has supported the World Health Organization (WHO) electromagnetic fields project since 1997. The WHO is due to review the health risks from power frequency fields later this year. The Health Protection Agency (HPA), which has statutory responsibilities to advise on health risks from electromagnetic exposure, undertakes its own research to support this advice.
	In 2004, on the basis of a comprehensive review of the existing body of research to date, the HPA's radiation protection division, previously the National Radiological Protection Board, recommended that, in view of the scientific uncertainties, the Government
	consider the need for further precautionary measures"
	in relation to power frequency electromagnetic fields. It has also noted that the majority of higher magnetic fields are due to variations in the electricity supply and distribution system, the presence of substations and equipment in the home, rather than proximity to power lines. Practical precautionary measures are now being considered in detail by a stakeholder group that includes Government Departments, agencies, the electricity industry, specialists and public concern groups. The latest work by Dr. Draper has increased the interest in these issues but the complex nature of the scientific and social issues mean that no immediate decisions will be made.

Civil Servants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what value for money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in her Department in 2004–05.

Jane Kennedy: In the 2004 pre-Budget report, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reported Office of Government Commerce (OGC) value for money gains in central civil Government procurement for 2003–04 of £2 billion. OGC value for money procurement gains for 2004–05 are being calculated and will be published in the 2005 Treasury autumn performance report.
	In the Budget 2005, my right hon. Friend announced a headcount reduction of 12,500 posts by the end of 2004–05, towards the Government's target of a gross reduction of 84,000 civil service and administrative posts by 2008.
	The reduction of posts within the Department for the year 2004–05 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Strength Full time equivalents 
		
		
			 April 2004 2,964 
			 April 2005 (34)2,189 
		
	
	(34)Of which 139 are designated to transfer.

Consultant Cardiologists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) full-time equivalent and (b) headcount consultant cardiologists were working in the NHS in each year since 1997; if she will estimate the optimum number of consultant cardiologists required by the NHS in England; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The number of headcount and full-time equivalent consultant cardiologists working in the national health service in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services medical consultants with a specialty in cardiology: England
		
			   Number Number (headcount) and full- time equivalent 
		
		
			 1997 405 364 
			 1998 458 415 
			 1999 467 425 
			 2000 546 483 
			 2001 576 512 
			 2002 609 561 
			 2003 659 609 
			 2004 710 663 
			 December 2004 716 667 
		
	
	Note:
	All data as at 30 September each year, except where stated for 31 December 2004.
	Source:
	NHS health and social care information centre medical and dental workforce census.
	NHS plan commitments to increase the number of cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons between 1999 and 2004 have been exceeded.
	It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local NHS trusts, to deliver high quality cardiology services and recruit the appropriate staff required to deliver these services.

Contraceptive Pill

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for the contraceptive pill were made in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04.

Jane Kennedy: The number of prescription items of contraceptives dispensed in the community in England was 8.6 million in 2002–03 and 8.7 million in 2003–04.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes on the Food Standards Agency will reply to the letter (a) from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 17 March and (b) from the director of Genetic Food Alert dated 6 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the time to respond.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 June 2005
	The chairman of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) replied to the letter from the director of Genetic Food Alert on 14 June 2005. A reply to the letter from the hon. Member will be forwarded by the secretary of the ACNFP upon receipt of a copy of the reply issued by the ACNFP chairman.
	A delay was incurred in replying to this letter due to the need for further information to be collated in relation to the request from Genetic Food Alert.

Dentistry

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time dentists there were in 1997; and how many there were in the last period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Information on a whole time equivalent basis is not available, as dentists are able to vary the amount of hours they work and to vary their national health service commitment.
	The numbers of NHS primary care dentists in England for each of the years requested are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year(35) Number 
		
		
			 1997 16,462 
			 2005 20,088 
		
	
	(35)As at 31 March each year

Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered dentists are practising in Sussex; and what the number was in 1997.

Rosie Winterton: In Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority area, the numbers of national health service dentists in each of the years requested are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997(36) 1,111 
			 2005(36) 1,388 
		
	
	(36)As at 31 March each year.
	Note:
	This data is from the Dental Practice Board and relates to the number of dentists working in the general dental service and personal dental service. This is the latest available data as of 1 March 2005.

Dentistry

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will support the establishment of a new dental school at Southampton University.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 14 June 2005
	We are funding the biggest expansion of dental education since the inception of the national health service, involving the creation of an additional 170 training places for dental undergraduates. To support this 25 per cent., increase in capacity, we have allocated revenue funds growing to £29 million by 2010–11 and £20 million capital in each of the four years 2005–06 to 2008–09. A joint implementation group (JIG) comprising the Department and the Higher Education Funding Council for England is managing the expansion programme. The JIG invited all higher education institutions in England to make expressions of interest in having a new dental school by 26 May. These bids will be evaluated by the JIG at its meeting on 22 June and the short-listed respondents will be asked to submit a full business case and to make a presentation to the JIG later in the year.

Dentistry

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 114WH, on NHS dentistry, whether all those people registered as NHS patients at Robinsons dental practice will be able to migrate to the Whitecross dental care practice; and when the Whitecross dental practice will be operating with five full-time dentists;
	(2)  pursuant to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 114WH, on NHS dentistry, what the conclusions were of the meeting between local practitioners and her Department on 8th June.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 14 June 2005
	The meeting between officials in the Department and the South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust (PCT) on June 8 2005 was positive. A number of applications for local practitioners to move to personal dental services (PDS) pilot contracts were reviewed, including the establishment of new practices. The applications for two of the new practices were subsequently agreed by the Department on June 10 2005, including the application for the new Whitecross dental practice in Christchurch. The two new practices will include a total of nine new full-time national health service dentists, delivering care to 22,500 patients. The PCT has assured me that all patients currently registered as NHS patients at the Robinsons dental practice will be able to transfer to the new Whitecross dental practice in Christchurch when it becomes operational in August 2005.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the number of trainee dentists in dental schools planning to undertake only NHS work when qualified.

Rosie Winterton: Each year, some 700 students graduate from dental schools in the United Kingdom. Almost all these newly qualified dentists undertake one year's vocational training in an attachment to a dental practice where patients are treated under the national health service. Through our reforms, we are seeking to make NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists so that, when they become eligible to practise independently, they maintain a significant commitment to the NHS.

Diabetes

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Government funding has been allocated to research into the causes of diabetes in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology.
	The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular topics. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. When appropriate, high quality research in particular areas of strategic importance may be given priority in competition for funds, but research excellence and importance to health continues to be the primary considerations in funding decisions. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding.
	MRC expenditure on research concerned with diabetes since 1999 1 is shown in table 1.
	1 A composite figure for 2003–04 is not yet available.
	
		Table 1 -- £ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 1999–2000 6.5 
			 2000–01 8.6 
			 2001–02 9.8 
			 2002–03 11.4 
		
	
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Table 2 shows NHS-reported spending from this funding in support of diabetes 1 .
	1 This data was not collected centrally prior to 2001.
	
		Table 2 -- £ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 2001–02 13.9 
			 2002–03 17.5 
			 2003–04 18.2

Health Finance (Oxfordshire)

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to each of the health trusts serving Oxfordshire for 2005–06; and what the amount was in each of the previous five years.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 June 2005
	In 2000–01 to 2002–03, revenue allocations were made to health authorities (HAs). Table 1 shows the 2000–01 to 2002–03 revenue allocations to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire HAs. This area is now covered by Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority (SHA).
	
		Table 1: Revenue allocations to HAs 2000–01 to 2002–03
		
			 HA name 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Berkshire 484,623 527,723 588,572 
			 Buckinghamshire 407,599 443,321 493,959 
			 Oxfordshire 364,378 396,426 445,458 
		
	
	2003–04 was the first time revenue allocations were made to primary care trusts (PCTs) for three years. Thames Valley SHA covers the Oxfordshire area. Table 2 shows the allocations made to those PCTs covered by the Thames Valley SHA for 2003–04 to 2005–06.
	
		Table 2: Revenue allocations to PCTs within Thames Valley SHA
		
			 PCT name 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Bracknell Forest 76,897 83,840 91 ,268 
			 Newbury and Community 74,039 81,251 89,016 
			 Reading 160,450 175,771 192,392 
			 Slough 98,923 108,728 119,200 
			 Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead 129,700 141,407 153,916 
			 Wokingham 100,104 109,406 119,512 
			 Chiltern and South Bucks 117,675 128,126 139,308 
			 Milton Keynes 167,638 183,498 200,679 
			 Vale of Aylesbury 143,593 157,179 171,899 
			 Wycombe 107,852 117,956 128,925 
			 Cherwell Vale 91,592 100,434 109,922 
			 North East Oxfordshire 50,193 54,983 60,151 
			 Oxford City 142,974 155,681 169,243 
			 South East Oxfordshire 57,710 63,163 69,075 
			 South West Oxfordshire 139,950 152,859 166,890 
		
	
	Note:
	Comparisons cannot be made between allocation rounds. Prior to 2003–04 revenue allocations were made to HAs on an annual basis. In 2003–04, revenue allocations were for the first time made direct to PCTs for three years. In addition, comparisons cannot be made between allocations rounds, as the services covered by each allocation round may vary.

Health Finance (Oxfordshire)

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports she has received of financial difficulties facing health trusts in Oxfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 16 June 2005
	There have been no representations from Oxfordshire nationalhealth service trusts about financial difficulties. Oxfordshire health trusts all submitted balanced delivery plans.
	It is now the responsibility of strategic health authorities to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure the local NHS achieves financial balance.

Hearing Aids

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for digital hearing aids is in (a) Devon and (b) England.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 June 2005
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Heart Disease (Children)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been treated for heart disease; how many have been screened for signs of heartdefects; and how many children have died fromheart-related conditions in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Table 1 following shows numbers of admissions for cardiac conditions for children under 16 in England in the last five years for which data is available.
	
		Table 1
		
			  Admissions 
		
		
			 1999–2000 2,125 
			 2000–01 2,089 
			 2001–02 2,232 
			 2002–03 2,312 
			 2003–04 2,475 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, Health and Social Care Information Centre. Figures are for cardiac conditions as a primary diagnosis. Patients may have more than one admission in a year.
	No data is available on screening of children for signs of heart defects.
	Table 2 following shows the latest available data on child deaths from heart-related conditions. In this table, children are defined as those under 16 years old, including neonates.
	
		Table 2
		
			  Deaths 
		
		
			 1999 872 
			 2000 781 
			 2001 667 
			 2002 621 
			 2003 663 
		
	
	Source:
	Office of National Statistics mortality data. Figures are for all deaths in England and Wales where heart disease is mentioned in the death certificate and include congenital malformations.

Hemel Hempstead Hospital

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on changes to services at Hemel Hempstead hospital.

Rosie Winterton: Since 1 January 2004, the Department has received several written representations from the hon. Member, hon. and right hon. Members both past and present and members of the public about Hemel Hempstead hospital.

Hepatitis C

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will update the Action Plan on hepatitis C.

Caroline Flint: The Hepatitis C Action Plan was published in July 2004. It serves as a broad framework for implementation of the Government's Hepatitis C Strategy for England Many of the actions set out in the plan will take time to effect. Implementation of the plan will be assessed via ongoing epidemiological surveillance and performance management. There are currently no plans to update the action plan.

Hepatitis C

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people infected with hepatitis C; and how many people are currently receiving treatment for it.

Caroline Flint: It is estimated that around 200,000 people in England have been chronically infected with hepatitis C, though the majority may not be aware of their infection.
	Currently treatment is not recommended for all patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C. In 2004, the then National Institute for Clinical Excellence, now the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, recommended treatment for cases of moderate to severe chronic hepatitis. Cases with mild disease should remain under observation. Treatment is for a finite time; either six or 12 months. The Department does not hold figures for those currently receiving treatment.

Hertfordshire Hospitals

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list Hertfordshire hospitals which had ward closures in each year since May 1997, broken down by medical specialty.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the opening and closing of wards is commonplace, to reflect demand and operational need at individual national health service trusts.

London Ambulance Service

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response her Department has made to the London Ambulance Service Patients Forum's letter of 11 May concerning the proliferation of mimic emergency ambulances in London.

Liam Byrne: A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the change in spending on mental health services has been in cash terms and as a percentage of overall NHS spending in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information available on national health service hospital and community health service (HCHS) expenditure is at 31 March 2003. The data shown in the table excludes social care spend on people with mental health problems and expenditure concerning people treated in primary care for whom specific diagnosis has not been reached. The figures therefore underestimate the total mental health expenditure.
	
		Mental health service: NHS HCHS programme gross expenditure in cash terms over the five years from 1998–99 to 2002–03 in England
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Gross expenditure (cash terms)  
			 Total mental health (£ million) 3,051 3,411 3,826 4,062 4,598 
			 Total increase in cash terms (£ million) — 360 415 236 536 
			 Total HCHS 25,494 27,633 30,099 31,977 35,087 
			  
			 Mental health proportion (percentages) 11.97 12.34 12.71 12.70 13.11

Mixed Sex Wards

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals are operating mixed sex wards.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the format requested. The Department do not collect information on the number of single-sex or mixed-sex wards in use in national health service hospitals.
	Guidance issued to the NHS requires the provision of single-sex accommodation, which can take a number of forms. NHS trusts may provide single rooms, single-sex bays, single-sex wards or combinations of these accommodation types.
	The provision of single-sex accommodation is measured by compliance with three specific objectives set by the Department. These are designed to deliver separate sleeping areas for men and women, separate bathrooms and toilet facilities for men and women, and for those trusts delivering mental health services, safe facilities for patients in hospital who are mentally ill.
	Compliance with the objectives is measured at trust level. The position of each NHS trust was published on 26 May 2005 and is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk and in the Library.

Mobile Telephones

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 June 2005, Official Report, columns 531–32W, on mobile telephones, if she will commission research into the effect of interference from a mobile phone in a breast pocket on the variables in the dynamic equilibrium that forms part of the cardio-vascular system.

Caroline Flint: The Department has no immediate plans to commission further research into the effect of interference from a mobile phone on the cardiovascular system. The mobile telecommunications and health research (MTHR) programme in this country supports a range of studies including one on the effects of mobile phones on blood pressure and cardiac function in healthy people. The decisions on the scientific research priorities for this programme are in the hands of an independent programme management committee. Details of the MTHR programme and descriptions of all the studies are available on the MTHR website at www.mthr.org.uk.

Mumps

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of mumps among children have been reported in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The provisional annual total for laboratory confirmed cases of mumps aged under 15 years in 2004 is 736 and the provisional total for the first 22 weeks of 2005 is 1,149.
	Information about confirmed cases of mumps by age and region is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/mumps/data_reg age_htm.

Neonatal Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mortality rate for (a) babies and (b) infants was in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 20 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the mortality rate for (a)babies and (b) infants was in each of the last 10 years. I am replying in his absence. (4471)
	Figures on infant mortality are available by age at death for England and Wales. The most recent year for which figures are available is 2003. Numbers and rates in each of the last 10 years are shown in the attached table.
	
		Infant mortality numbers and rates by age at death; 1994 to 2003, England and Wales
		
			  Early neonatal (<7 days) Neonatal (<28 days) Infant (<1 year) 
			  Number Rate(37) Number Rate(37) Number Rate(37) 
		
		
			 1994 2,142 3.2 2,749 4.1 4,120 6.2 
			 1995 2,104 3.2 2,698 4.2 3,982 6.1 
			 1996 2,066 3.2 2,645 4.1 3,959 6.1 
			 1997 1,941 3.0 2,517 3.9 3,799 5.9 
			 1998 1,844 2.9 2,418 3.8 3,625 5.7 
			 1999 1,833 2.9 2,435 3.9 3,621 5.8 
			 2000 1,753 2.9 2,335 3.9 3,377 5.6 
			 2001 1,598 2.7 2,137 3.6 3,240 5.4 
			 2002 1,620 2.7 2,126 3.6 3,127 5.2 
			 2003 1,749 2.8 2,264 3.6 3,306 5.3 
		
	
	(37)Rates per 1,000 live births
	Sources:
	Series DH3 'Mortality statistics: Childhood, infant and perinatal' No. 36, Table 1

NHS Direct

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed by NHS Direct at 31 December (a) 2004, (b) 2003, (c) 2002 and (d) 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information is not collected centrally by the Department. However, the NHS Direct special health authority collects information on the number of nurses and call handlers in post for years 2002, 2003 and 2004, as shown in the following table. Data prior to 2002 is not available.
	
		
			 December Nurse(38) Call handler(38) 
		
		
			 2002 1,037 516 
			 2003 1,054 569 
			 2004 1,034 611 
		
	
	(38)Data are shown as full time equivalent.

NHS Direct

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation has taken place of the performance of NHS Direct; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Two evaluations have been made regarding NHS Direct, which can be found at: www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/mcru/reports.htm and www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/Homepage/fs/en

NHS Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the (a) Thames Valley strategic health authority, (b) Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, (c) Wycombe Primary Care Trust, (d) Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust and (e) Two Shires Ambulance Trust is in (i) surplus and (ii)deficit; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The latest year for which audited data on the financial position of national health service organisations is available is 2003–04. The financial position for Thames Valley strategic health authority (SHA), Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wycombe primary care trust (PCT), Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust and Two Shires Ambulance Trust is shown in the table.
	
		Financial position of NHS organisations for 2003–04
		
			 Organisation Underspend (Overspend) 
		
		
			 Thames Valley SHA 4,221,000 — 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust — (5,237,000) 
			 Wycombe PCT 536,000 — 
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust — (1,689,000) 
			 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 3,000 —

Prescription Charges

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat recent representations she has received on establishing more exemptions from prescription charges for patients with long-term conditions.

Jane Kennedy: Representations received since 1 January 2005 have been identified in respect of the following long-term conditions:
	Alzheimer's disease/dementia
	Arthritis
	Asthma
	Cancer
	Coeliac
	Crohn's disease
	Cystic fibrosis
	Foot conditions
	Hearing impairment
	Heart condition
	Hormone replacement treatment
	Hypertension
	Impotence
	Kidney transplants
	Klinefelter syndrome
	Lupus
	Mental health (various)
	Multiple sclerosis
	Optical and dental care
	Pancreatitis (chronic)
	Spina bifida
	Thrombosis
	Turner's syndrome
	Ulcerative colitis.

Private Finance Initiative

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnership projects her Department is undertaking; and what the status of each is.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is given as follows. The list is broken down into three categories: private finance initiative (PFI), national health service local improvement finance trust (LIFT) schemes and treatment centres. It lists those that are operational and those that have reached financial close but are not providing a full service.
	PFI Schemes
	1. Operational
	Dartford and Gravesham Hospital NHS Trust
	North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
	Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust
	County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
	South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust
	Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust
	Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust
	Queen Mary's hospital Sidcup NHS Trust
	Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust
	Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
	Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust
	Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University NHS Trust
	County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
	West Sussex Health and Social Care Trust
	South Tees Acute Hospital NHS Trust
	Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust
	King's College Hospital NHS Trust
	North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
	Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust
	St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust
	Oxleas NHS Trust
	North East London Mental Health NHS Trust
	Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust
	East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust
	Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust
	Northumbria Health Care NHS Trust
	Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
	Northumbria Health Care NHS Trust—Hexham
	Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust
	Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust
	Royston, Buntingford and Bishops Stortford PCT
	Guildford and Waverley PCT
	The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
	Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
	County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust—Chester-le-Street
	County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust—West Park
	Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Brent PCT
	Mid Devon PCT
	Newbury PCT
	2. Under construction
	University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
	North West London Hospitals NHS Trust—Central Middlesex
	Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
	University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust—Blackburn
	Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust
	Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust
	Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust—Royal Alexander
	Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
	Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust
	Derby Hospitals NHS Trust
	Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust—Oncology
	Central Manchester and Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust
	Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust
	Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust—City Hospital
	North Kirklees PCT
	Wandsworth PCT—Queen Mary's Roehampton
	Salisbury Healthcare NHS Trust
	Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust—Morpeth
	Nuffield Orthopaedic NHS Trust
	Kingston Hospital NHS Trust
	Newham University Hospital NHS Trust
	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust—Burnley
	Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust—Stoke Mandeville
	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
	New Forest PCT—Lymington
	Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust—Addenbrookes
	Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
	Daventry and South Northamptonshire PCT
	NHS LIFT Projects
	1. Operational
	East London and City
	Barnsley
	Ashton, Leigh and Wigan
	Norfolk
	Newcastle and North Tyne
	East Lancashire
	Sandwell
	Barking and Havering
	Liverpool and Sefton
	2. Under Construction
	Camden and Islington
	Manchester, Salford and Trafford
	Birmingham and Solihill
	Bradford
	Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
	Coventry
	Hull
	Leicester City
	Medway
	North Staffordshire
	Redbridge and Waltham Forest
	Barnet, Enfield and Haringey
	Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon
	Bristol
	Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich
	Colchester and Tendring
	Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow
	East Hampshire, Fareham and Gosport
	Greater Nottingham
	Leeds
	Oldham
	Oxford City
	Plymouth
	Southern Derbyshire
	South West London
	St. Helens and Knowsley
	Tees Valley
	Wolverhampton
	Treatment centres
	1. Operational
	Daventry
	Greater Manchester
	Plymouth
	Redwood
	Opthalmology Chain—ophthalmology activity delivered through a number of mobile treatment facilities
	Spine chain—eight treatment centres
	MRI scanning and reporting—12 mobile magnetic resonance imaging scanning units visit NHS sites nationally.
	Plus elective activity delivered through a number of existing independent sector treatment centres around the country.
	2. Under Construction
	Bradford
	Burton
	Trent
	Somerset
	Worcestershire, Cheshire and Merseyside—two treatment centres
	South East—four treatment centres
	Plus elective activity delivered through a number of existing independent sector treatment centres around the country.

Sudden Cardiac Deaths

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of sudden cardiac death were reported in Gloucestershire in the last year for which figures are available; and how many were people aged (a) under 18, (b) 19 to 25 and (c) 26 to 35 years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Drew, dated 20 June 2005
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many cases of sudden cardiac deaths were reported in Gloucestershire in the last year for which figures are available; and how many were people were aged (a) under 18, (b) 19 to 35 and (c) 26 to 35 years. (4343)
	It is not possible to provide reliable figures on the number of cardiac deaths which occurred suddenly, as certifiers are not required to indicate at death registration whether or not a death was sudden. Figures are therefore provided for all heart diseases, sudden cardiac death (so described), acute ischaemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias. 1
	Figures are provided in the table below for 2004, the latest year for which data are currently available.
	
		Number of deaths from (a) all heart diseases, (b) sudden cardiac death, so described, (c) acute ischaemic heart disease and (d) cardiac arrhythmias1 in persons, by age, for usual residents of Gloucestershire registered in 2004 -- Numbers of deaths
		
			   Under 18 18–25 26–35 All ages 
		
		
			 (a) AH heart diseases 1 0 1 1,334 
			 (b) Sudden cardiac death,  so described 0 0 0 2 
			 (c) Acute ischaemic heart disease 0 0 0 514 
			 (d) Cardiac arrhythmias 0 0 0 29 
		
	
	(39)The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10). Deaths were selected where the original underlying cause of death was one of the following codes:
	AII heart diseases ICD-10 120–15
	Sudden cardiac death, so described ICD-10146.1
	Acute ischaemic heart disease ICD-JO121
	Cardiac arrhythmias ICD-10144–149.

Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed by the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority.

Caroline Flint: Information about the number of people directly employed by the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is shown in the following table.
	
		National health service hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) medical and non-medical staff, within Surrey and Sussex SHA organisation -- As at 30 September 2004
		
			  Number (headcount) 
		
		
			 All staff 139 
			 of which:  
			 HCHS medical and dental staff 10 
			 All non-medical staff 129 
			 of which:  
			 Professionally qualified clinical staff 2 
			 Qualified nurses 1 
			 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical 1 
			 NHS infrastructure support 127 
			 Central functions 72 
			 Managers and senior managers 55 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre non-medical workforce census 2004.
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre medical and dental workforce census 2004.

Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the budget of the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority in each year since its inception; and what its budget is for 2005–06.

Caroline Flint: The first full year of operation for Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority (SHA) was 2003–04. The SHA budgets for 2003–04 and 2004–05 are shown in the following table. The budget for 2005–06 has not yet been finalised.
	
		Surrey and Sussex SHA budget -- £ thousand
		
			  Budget 
		
		
			 2003–04 4,700 
			 2004–05 5,057

Tourist Health (Cornwall)

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations she has received regarding payment to NHS and primary care trusts in Cornwall for treating tourists from other parts of the UK in the summer months; if she will ensure that appropriate payment is made to NHS and primary care trusts for such treatment; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether the formula for allocating funding to (a) NHS trusts and (b) primary care trusts in Cornwall takes account of the costs of administering the recovery of payments for treating tourists from other parts of the UK in the summer months.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 13 June 2005
	The Department has received no recent representations on this matter. There are procedures in place for the funding and reimbursement of the costs of treating patients away from their home and these are available on the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/92/19/04109219.pdf.
	With the introduction of payment by results, we are introducing a new system based on quarterly billing, which is designed to reimburse providers in a more timely manner while keeping administration costs to a minimum. The new approach is based on in-year activity, so areas with increased activity will be reimbursed within year.
	The formula used to inform the revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) does not specifically take account of the administrative costs associated with the recovery of payments for treating tourists from other parts of the UK in the summer months. The administrative cost of the process for reimbursing for out of area treatments falls on all PCTs, and there should not be a material difference in these costs between PCTs.

Trust Staff

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) clinical and (b) non-clinical NHS staff have been employed in Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS) staff, general medical practitioners and practice staff, clinical and non-clinical staff in specified organisations, 1997–2004: England -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Q26—Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority 29,047 30,148 30,156 31,183 
			 Total clinical staff 13,527 14,014 14,210 14,478 
			  
			 All doctors 2,127 2,188 2,303 2,252 
			 of which 
			 HCHS Doctors(40) 1,335 1,375 1,473 1,414 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(41) 792 813 830 838 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical clinical staff(42) 10,626 11,143 11,353 11,614 
			 GP practice nurses 774 683 554 612 
			 Total non-clinical staff 15,520 16,134 15,946 16,705 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical non-clinical staff(43) 12,840 13,285 13,709 13,919 
			 Practice staff (excluding practice nurses)(44) 2,680 2,849 2,237 2,786 
			  
			 5DQ—Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			 Total clinical staff (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			  
			 All doctors (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			 of which 
			 HCHS doctors(40) (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			  
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(41) (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical clinical staff(42) (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			 GP practice nurses (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			 Total non-clinical staff (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical non-clinical staff(43) (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
			 Practice staff (excluding practice nurses)(44) (45)— (45)— (45)— (45)— 
		
	
	
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Q26—Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority 32,269 33,598 35,458 35,882 
			 Total clinical staff 15,421 15,933 16,724 17,295 
			  
			 All doctors 2,272 2,424 2,583 2,770 
			 of which 
			 HCHS Doctors(40) 1,447 1,563 1,686 1,825 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(41) 825 861 897 945 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical clinical staff(42) 12,554 12,879 13,493 13,883 
			 GP practice nurses 595 630 648 642 
			 Total non-clinical staff 16,848 17,665 18,734 18,587 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical non-clinical staff(43) 14,642 15,378 16,195 16,158 
			 Practice staff (excluding practice nurses)(44) 2,206 2,287 2,539 2,429 
			  
			 5DQ—Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust 548 966 1,154 1,082 
			 Total clinical staff 254 514 571 589 
			  
			 All doctors 82 86 94 104 
			 of which 
			 HCHS doctors(40) (46)— 1 2 1 
			  
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(41) 82 85 92 103 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical clinical staff(42) 111 366 407 453 
			 GP practice nurses 61 62 70 32 
			 Total non-clinical staff 294 452 583 493 
			  
			 HCHS non-medical non-clinical staff(43) 58 298 301 364 
			 Practice staff (excluding practice nurses)(44) 236 154 282 129 
		
	
	(40)Excludes hospital medical hospital practitioners and hospital medical clinical assistants, most of whom are GPs working part time in hospitals.
	(41)General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GP's general medical service (GMS) others and personal medical service (PMS) others. Prior to September 2004, this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(42)Non-medical clinical staff are qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff and qualified ambulance staff.
	(43)Non-medical non-clinical staff are support to clinical staff, national health service infrastructure support staff and a number of unknown and unclassifiable staff.
	(44)Practice staff (excluding practice nurses) includes direct patient care, administrative and clerical staff and other.
	(45)Denotes zero
	(46)Denotes not available
	Notes:
	Data as at 30 September each year except GP and practice nurse data, which is as at 1 October 1997–99.
	Sources:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre GMS and PMS statistics.
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre medical and dental workforce census.
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre non-medical workforce census.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Advice to Cabinet

Lynne Jones: To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions since 1997 law officers' advice had been presented to the Cabinet orally, prior to the Attorney-General's oral presentation to the Cabinet of his advice on the legality of the war in Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: The proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings are not normally disclosed, in order to ensure the protection of information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Camp Breadbasket

Adam Price: To ask the Solicitor-General what action the Government have taken as a result of the witness statements from Camp Breadbasket victims sent to the Attorney-General earlier this year.

Mike O'Brien: Three short unsigned draft witness statements were provided by a solicitor Mr. Phil Shiner to the Army Prosecuting Authority. The prosecutor decided not to seek an adjournment because there was inadequate evidence to confirm the authenticity of the statements, the trial was at an advanced state, and it was not possible to ascertain the required length of the potential adjournment as there was insufficient information to identify the whereabouts of the makers. As the statements appear to support charges other than those before the court, if the witnesses can be identified, further charges can be brought. The material was provided to the defence who also took the view that they did not wish to seek an adjournment, so the trial continued.
	The Judge Advocate was made aware of the existence of the material but was not asked for any ruling on it.
	The material was passed to the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police who have twice written to Mr. Shiner to seek his assistance in identifying the makers of the draft statements. This has proved difficult because though they are identified by name and employment, no address is provided and so it is not possible to trace them. Mr. Shiner replied on 21 April saying that he would provide a substantive reply within 28 days. No further reply has been received. While the RMP will seek to trace the makers of the draft statements, on the basis of the scant information provided it may not be possible.

Domestic Violence Homicide Cases

Julie Morgan: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on prosecutions of domestic violence homicide cases.

Mike O'Brien: We are committed to tackling domestic violence on every front. Although domestic violence is chronically under-reported, research indicates that it accounts for 16 per cent. of all violent crime and claims the lives of two women each week.
	The Crown Prosecution Service recognises that stopping domestic violence and bringing perpetrators to justice must be a priority for our society. It is determined to play its part by prosecuting all such cases, including homicides, effectively.

Iraq

David Howarth: To ask the Solicitor-General whether the advice set out in paragraphs 34 and 35 of the Attorney's advice on the legality of war in Iraq on 17 March 2003 remains the policy of the Law Officers.

Mike O'Brien: The Attorney-General, in his parliamentary statement of 17 March 2003, set out his view that the use of force in Iraq was lawful. He considers that any challenge to the use of force would not succeed.

NHS Staff (Attacks)

John Baron: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will assess the merits of issuing guidance similar to that issued in Scotland by the Lord Advocate on decisions to prosecute those who attack health service staff in the summary court or on indictment to the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of similar cases in England and Wales.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides whether or not to prosecute those who attack health service staff in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
	The code already provides that a prosecution is likely to be in the public interest if the offence was committed against a person serving the; public, and illustrates the point with the example of a nurse. As such, existing guidance to prosecutors in England and Wales favours the prosecution of anyone assaulting health service staff. There are no plans to change this.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Civil Servants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what value-for-money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in her Department in 2004–05.

Harriet Harman: In pre-Budget report 2004 the Chancellor reported OGC value for money gains in central civil Government procurement for 2003–04 of £2billion. OGC value for money procurement gains for 2004–05 are being calculated and will be published in the 2005 Treasury Autumn Performance report.
	In Budget 2005 the Chancellor announced a headcount reduction of 12,500 posts by the end of 2004–05, towards the Government's target of a gross reduction of 84,000 civil service and administrative posts by 2008.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs were not required to make a contribution to the headcount reduction of 12,500 by the end of 2004–05. The Department's target headcount reduction over the SR 04 period is 1,100 by March 2008.

Community Justice Centre (Liverpool)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of defendants attending the Community Justice Centre in North Liverpool have (a) re-offended and (b) complied with their sentence since the centre opened.

Harriet Harman: Between 14 December 2004 and 5 May 2005 34 community sentences have been made (only one offender had more than one case). Of those 33 offenders three have been convicted of a further offence while nine have breached their order.

Community Justice Centre (Liverpool)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of crime figures in the area covered by the Community Justice Centre in North Liverpool over the period during which the centre has been in operation.

Harriet Harman: The geographical area covered by the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, shows a small decrease in 'all crime' between January and June this year, when compared with a similar period in 2004.
	At this stage we are unable to break that 'all crime' category down into the CJC targeted offences.
	It is too early in the pilot to assess the impact of what is being done at the Centre and its relationship to crime in the area it serves.

Community Justice Centre (Liverpool)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many defendants have attended the Community Justice Centre in North Liverpool.

Harriet Harman: Between 9 December 2004 and 10 June2005 over 385 defendants have appeared before His Honour Judge Fletcher, at the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre.
	The figures can be further broken down into 349 adult defendants and 39 youth defendants.

Community Justice Centre (Liverpool)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of Community Justice Centres following the North Liverpool pilot.

Harriet Harman: The North Liverpool Community Justice Centre is a pilot. It will be fully evaluated to examine whether the Community Justice Centre model should be replicated. In the interim, a second initiative is being developed in Salford. This will test how Community Justice principles, such as responding to local people's priorities about antisocial behaviour, can be applied in magistrates courts. These are the only projects currently planned. Any decisions about the development of future Community Justice initiatives will be taken following the evaluations of these projects.

Coronors Act

David Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs on how many occasions the procedure provided for under Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 has been implemented since 1 January 2000.

Harriet Harman: Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 has been invoked six times since 1 January 2000.

Criminal Justice

Graham Allen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many personnel are employed by the Department to explain the operation of the criminal justice system to the public.

Harriet Harman: As at 1 April 2005 the Department for Constitutional Affairs employed a total of 15,173 staff working in criminal justice related roles. Of these 12,243 are in the magistrates courts, 2,673 in the Crown court (including those in combined courts); and 115 in the Criminal Appeals Office. Her Majesty's' Courts Service, an executive agency of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, also employs 142 staff in central roles relating to Criminal Justice.
	Whilst these staff are trained in customer service skills, it is not possible to identify those whose role directly involves explaining the operation of the Criminal Justice system to the public.

Crown Court Trials

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many trials in the Crown court lasted for a duration of nine months or more in each of the last 10 years.

Harriet Harman: I will write to the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire once the information is available.

Data Protection Act

Harry Cohen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what concerns the European Commission has formally expressed in relation to the definition of personal data as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the implementation of the definition of personal data in Directive 95/46/EC;
	(2)  what concerns the European Commission has formally expressed in relation to the powers of the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998;
	(3)  whether she will list the concerns that the European Commission has formally expressed in relation to the provisions in the Data Protection Act 1998 which pertain to the transfer of personal data outside the European economic area, and if she will make a statement on the implementation of articles 25 and 26 of Directive 95/46/EC through the Data Protection Act 1998.

Bridget Prentice: The European Commission, as part of its review of the implementation of the 1995 Data Protection Directive by each member state, have raised a number of issues with the UK. We are in discussion with the Commission about these issues. We currently have no plans to disclose the detail of those discussions as the formal Commission investigation process is still taking place. If the Government were to disclose the information requested, it would prejudice the negotiating process between the UK and the Commission and so prejudice UK interests. We believe that the UK has properly implemented the Data Protection Directive via the Data Protection Act 1998 and other relevant provisions of UK law.

Faith Communities (Consultations)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent consultations have been carried out by her Department with representatives of faith communities; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Within the last twelve months, there have been six consultations with faith communities by officials of this Department.
	There were two consultations regarding prospective legislation:
	Mental Capacity Act 2005
	Gender Recognition (Exception to Offence of Disclosure) Order
	One regarding diversity in the judiciary:
	Increasing Diversity in the Judiciary
	Three regarding children's issues:
	Review of looked After Children'
	Draft Court Rules Adoption and Children Act 2002
	Disclosure of information in family proceedings cases involving children

General Election Register (Woking)

John Hemming: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the marked register for the 2005 General Election for the Woking constituency has been lost.

Harriet Harman: The whereabouts of the marked registers for Woking are being investigated by the Returning Officer and the storage company, Pickfords Records Management.

Inquests (Belfast Coroner)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average time between death and inquest in the jurisdiction of the Belfast Coroner was in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The average time between death and inquest in the Coroners District of Greater Belfast in the last three years was: 2002—69 weeks, 2003—83 weeks and 2004—87 weeks.

Laptop Computers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in her Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and(ii) stolen in that period; what the cost was of the useof laptops in that period; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: For my Department, information on the number and cost of laptops is available from 1999. Ministers and special advisers have been supplied with laptops since 2003. Information on lost and stolen laptops is available from 1995.
	Figures for individual years for (a) Ministers and (b) are as follows:
	
		Number
		
			  (a) Ministers' laptops (b) Special advisers' laptops 
		
		
			 2003 3 1 
			 2004 4 1 
		
	
	
		(c) Number of laptops issued to officials, together with the overall cost of the Department's laptops:
		
			   Number of laptops Cost of the use of laptops for the calendar year (£) 
		
		
			 1999 658 101, 808 
			 2000 667 120,960 
			 2001 346 132,864 
			 2002 444 361,594 
			 2003 594 630,367 
			 2004 597 700,626 
		
	
	
		Number of laptops (i) lost or (ii) stolen
		
			  (i) Number of laptops lost (ii) Number of laptops stolen 
		
		
			 1995 0 10 
			 1996 0 16 
			 1997 0 4 
			 1998 0 4 
			 1999 0 4 
			 2000 2 3 
			 2001 1 12 
			 2002 1 16 
			 2003 0 6 
			 2004 1 14

Legal Aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Legal Services Commission are taking to ensure that black and minority ethnic firms are treated fairly in the distribution of legal aid contracts.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is strongly committed to promoting race equality and eliminating discrimination on the basis of race. Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the LSC has a statutory obligation to monitor and assess the impact of policies relating to the distribution of legal aid contracts upon different racial groups.
	The LSC monitors the diversity of suppliers contracted to provide legal advice and services via an annual survey conducted by the Legal Services Research Centre (LSRC). Results are published on the LSRC website. The findings of these monitoring activities help inform and influence policy-making.
	Race equality impact assessments are carried out for any proposal to amend the way in which legal aid contracts are awarded. The LSC consults on race equality impact assessments and encourages BME firms and their representative organisations to respond to consultations.
	The LSC is currently tendering for research into the issues faced by BME firms within the legal aid supplier base. The research is due to report in December 2005.

Magistrates

Graham Allen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make it her policy (a) to collect data on the socio-economic class of magistrates and (b) to track and publish changes in the composition of the magistracy.

Harriet Harman: The Department currently collects data on magistrates grouping them by gender, ethnicity, age, geographical spread, and occupational and industrial categories. There are no plans to change this. The composition of the magistracy is tracked in the groupings stated. Details of age, gender and ethnic background are published annually in Judicial Appointments.

Mental Capacity Act

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the timescale is for public consultation on the details of the role of independent mental capacity advocates.

Bridget Prentice: The Department of Health intends to hold a full public consultation shortly on a range of issues relating to the Independent Mental
	Capacity Advocate service.

Mental Capacity Act

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has for public awareness campaigns to raise awareness of the codes of practice of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 among the general public;
	(2)  what representations she has (a) made to and (b) received from the voluntary sector on disseminating information about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 codes of practice to family members and carers of incapacitated individuals.

Bridget Prentice: Disseminating and raising awareness of the Act and code of practice is a key component of our implementation plans. We want to undertake this important work in consultation with stakeholders, including those in the voluntary sector, and are currently seeking views from them on how they will want to work with us in this area of implementation.

Mental Capacity Act

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what mechanisms her Department will introduce to monitor compliance with the Codes of Practice laid out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 with regard to (a) lasting powers of attorney donees, (b) court appointed deputies and (c) independent mental capacity advocates.

Bridget Prentice: Lasting Powers of Attorney and court appointed deputies will be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The OPG will respond to any complaints about their conduct either directly or in co-ordination with other agencies. Complaints about the conduct of a deputy or attorney might include complaints about an attorney or deputy not complying with their duty to have regard to the Code. In addition deputies will be subject to supervision by the OPG and required to provide reports to the OPG. The Department for Health will issue a consultation paper shortly on details of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service.

Rape Trials

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what proportion of applications to admit previous sexual history in rape trials was successful during (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(2)  how many applications to admit previous sexual history were made in rape trials in England and Wales in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	Provisions on the admission of evidence and questioning relating to previous sexual history in criminal proceedings are set out in sections 41 to 43 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The Home Office commissioned London Metropolitan University to carry out during 2003–04 research on the working of these provisions. The findings of this research are due to be published this autumn. Although the statistical data requested are not identifiable within the data regularly collected centrally, this research study is expected to provide some information on the proportion of rape trials in which applications to admit previous sexual history evidence are made and the success rate of applications.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many affordable homes have been (a) started and (b) completed in the last five years in the London borough of Haringey council area; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The number of affordable homes provided on behalf of Haringey in each of the last five financial years are shown as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 265 
			 2001–02 286 
			 2002–03 167 
			 2003–04 349 
			 2004–05 272 
		
	
	Source:
	Housing Corporation
	In 2004–05 there were 493 starts-on-site on behalf of Haringey (figures for earlier years are not available).
	The numbers include homes for both rent and low cost home ownership provided through new build dwellings, acquisitions and refurbishments via the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme including Key Worker Living in 2004–05 and exclude the Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant, the Starter Homes Initiative (not delivered through the Approved Development Programme) and S106 agreements where there was no Housing Corporation funding.

Affordable Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's definitions are of the terms (a) affordable housing and (b) key worker.

Yvette Cooper: The Government defines affordable housing as including social rented housing and other forms of sub-market housing (known as intermediate housing). Sub-market housing include forms of low cost home ownership such as shared ownership and Homebuy and housing available at intermediate rents (above social rent but below market rent).
	For the Key Worker Living programme which operates throughout the London, South East and Eastern regions there is a priority list of public sector key worker groups, established in consultation with sponsor Departments/employers who are making a financial contribution to the programme. Key workers being helped through the programme include nurses and other NHS clinical staff, teachers in schools and further education, police officers and some civilian staff in participating police forces, prison and probation service staff, social workers, occupation therapists, education psychologists, fire service staff in Hertfordshire and in London, local authority planners.
	Beyond the Key Worker Living programme, there is no set definition. Definitions will vary by scheme and location and will depend on a range of factors including funding sources and local pressures.

Affordable Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate long-term supply of low-cost housing for those with housing needs in Coventry, South.

Yvette Cooper: It is not possible to provide separate figures for Coventry, South.
	£7.4 million was allocated from the Regional Housing Pot, for the period 2004 to 2006, to fund 174 new units of affordable housing in Coventry.
	During 2004–05 Coventry city council delivered, across the city, 142 new affordable homes for rent, 21 new shared ownership homes, and 55 homes achieved through SI06 planning gain.
	Development of the second West Midlands Regional Housing Strategy, which has been subject to broad consultation, will inform Regional Housing Pot allocations for housing in the region for 2006 to 2008, details of which will be announced in December 2005.
	The new Strategy, which will shortly be submitted for endorsement by the West Midlands Regional Assembly, has been based on a range of comprehensive research, including a region-wide assessment of the need for affordable housing in the region.

Agricultural Land

David Lidington: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the development of his policy on the sub-division of agricultural land into small plots for sale since his Department's letter of 19 April 2004 to chief planning officers.

Yvette Cooper: Sub-division of fields and woods into small plots for sale can lead to neglect and other unsightly consequences. In January the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued new Best Practice Guidance which, among other things, encourages local authorities to use notices under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to require landowners to remedy damage to rural amenity. Later this year, as part of our review of permitted development rights, we will consult on proposed improvements to the procedure for making article 4 directions. Article 4 directions can prevent permitted development where it would significantly threaten the amenity of the countryside.

Agricultural Land

David Lidington: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he has issued to local planning authorities on the application of temporary stop notice powers, as provided under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, to cases in which agricultural land has been divided into small plots for sale.

Yvette Cooper: ODPM Circular 02/2005 'Temporary Stop Notice' gives guidance on the use of temporary stop notices. It advises that a single temporary stop notice may apply to the whole of the site in circumstances where a field is sub-divided into plots, irrespective of the fact that the field may not be in single ownership.

Barker Report

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on implementation of the Barker report;
	(2)  what recommendations of the Barker review the Government have (a) already implemented and (b) intends to implement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government's initial response to Kate Barker's report was provided by my right hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister alongside the Budget on 17 March 2004. We said then that we intend to bring forward a package of measures to address the recommendations of the Barker review by the end of 2005.
	Kate Barker's proposals build on the approach adopted in the communities plan, launched by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in February 2003. Her analysis have reinforced our case and strategy for more homes to address rising demand. In particular, the Government have accepted Kate Barker's central recommendation that there should be a step change in housing supply.
	In advance of the wider package, and in response to one of Kate Barker's recommendations, the Government consulted last year on proposals to strengthen regional integration by bringing together regional planning bodies and regional housing boards and to provide the merged bodies with independent advice. In the pamphlet Extending Home Ownership", launched by my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor on 25 May, we confirmed that the merger of regional planning bodies and regional housing boards would go ahead. We also said that we would shortly announce further details about how independent evidence and analysis to support regional planning bodies would be strengthened.
	In the 2004 spending review, we made a start on infrastructure investment in creating a community infrastructure fund, as recommended by Kate Barker. An extra £50 million in 2006–07 and £150 million in 2007–08 will be available to finance transport projects needed to sustain housing growth. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor also allocated funds which, with additional PFI funding and efficiency gains, aim to provide an extra 10,000 new homes for social let annually by 2007–08.
	The Government plan to consult in summer 2005 on changes to planning policy guidance on housing (PPG3).

Business Rate

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the business rates set by each local authority area in England for 2004–05.

Phil Woolas: The rate used to calculate business rate bills is set nationally. For 2004–05, the rate was 0.456. Bills for that year were calculated by multiplying this rate by the rateable value of the particular business hereditament and applying any reliefs.

Buy to Let

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect of buy-to-let on the cost and availability of private rented accommodation in London; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government have not carried out any studies into the impact of 'buy-to-let'. It is not easily assessed, although the mortgage lenders have produced some detailed statistics. 'Buy to let' mortgages as a proportion of all mortgages has risen nationally from 2 per cent. in 1999 to 9 per cent. in the second half of 2004. However, their impact on the London housing market has been generally declining (from almost 7 per cent. early 2001 when data was first collected), and in 2004–05 accounted for 3.9 per cent. of mortgages.
	So far 'buy to let' has not led to a significant growth in the size of the private rented sector. However, inasmuch as it has led to more and better quality property coming onto the market it will have had a favourable impact on the cost and availability of private rented accommodation.

Children's Accommodation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of (a) the number of families with children and (b) the number of children in (i) temporary accommodation, (ii) non-decent accommodation and (iii) overcrowded accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: Information reported each quarter by local authorities about their activities under homelessness legislation includes the number of households in temporary accommodation on the last day of the quarter, distinguishing those that include dependent children or a pregnant woman, and the numbers of children. On 31 December 2004 it is estimated that there were 72,800 such households in England, containing some 125,000 children or expected children.
	Based on information collected through the English House Condition Survey, in 2001 there were an estimated 1,736,000 households containing some 3,123,000 children under 16 years of age living in non-decent homes. Since then there has been further progress towards the Government's decent homes target. Already the number of non-decent homes in the social sector has dropped by 1 million since 1997.
	From information derived from the Survey of English Housing for 2003–04 it is estimated there were 360,000 households containing 845,000 dependent children living in conditions regarded as overcrowded in relation to the bedroom standard.

Contingency Plans

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which regions have conducted training exercises to assess contingency plans, as proposed by the Civil Resilience Directorate; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All regions have conducted training exercises to test emergency plans and procedures.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) how much was raised from fines for non-payment of council tax in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many fines were levied for non-payment of council tax in each year since 1997.

Phil Woolas: There are no powers under which it is possible to impose a fine for the non-payment of council tax.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how transitional relief for the 2007 council tax revaluation in England will be funded.

Phil Woolas: The Government's intention is that the transitional relief scheme will be self-financing.

Departmental Press Office

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many full-time equivalent staff have been employed by his Department's Press Office in each year since its creation; and if he will list the responsibilities of each current staff member.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) press officers employed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were as follows:
	
		
			 As at April: Number 
		
		
			 2003 21.8 
			 2004 23 
			 2005 20 
		
	
	All current press officers provide media handling services for all ODPM Ministers and officials across the full range of the Office's responsibilities.

Derelict Land

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) area of sites designated as derelict land in 2004, broken down by region.

Yvette Cooper: The National Land Use Database of Previously-Developed Land provides estimates are tabled as follows:
	
		Derelict land and buildings in England, 2004
		
			  Number of sites reported by local authorities Estimated total area (hectares) 
		
		
			 North East 132 1,430 
			 North West 1,193 5,690 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 495 2,960 
			 East Midlands 392 2,040 
			 West Midlands 464 1,840 
			 East of England 182 2,310 
			 London 76 290 
			 South East 207 1,410 
			 South West 325 1,900 
			 England 3,466 19,870 
		
	
	Note:
	The estimates of total areas include an allowance for incomplete reporting.

Education Finance (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by each London borough on education per 1,000 population in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Table A provides combined LEA and school based expenditure per pupil for each London borough from 1999–2000 to 2003–04. This does not take into account non school-based education e.g. adult/community education.
	
		Table A: Combined LEA and school based expenditure(47)(5507890048) per pupil(49) (1999–2000 to 2003–04)(50)(5507890051) -- Cash terms
		
			   1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04(52) 
		
		
			  England 2,800 2,980 3,290 3,440 3,890 
			
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 3,110 3,260 3,750 3,950 4,470 
			 302 Barnet 3,180 3,170 3,500 3,670 4,170 
			 303 Bexley 2,640 2,790 3,110 3,320 3,810 
			 304 Brent 3,410 3,530 3,840 3,950 4,590 
			 305 Bromley 2,770 2,880 3,150 3,430 3,640 
			 202 Camden 4,120 4,270 4,840 5,730 6,040 
			 201 City of London 9,720 7,780 7,580 9,090 9,790 
			 306 Croydon 2,940 3,140 3,560 3,610 3,940 
			 307 Ealing 3,240 3,390 3,790 3,880 4,550 
			 308 Enfield 3,090 3,280 3,650 3,730 4,420 
			 203 Greenwich 3,740 3,890 4,320 4,610 5,020 
			 204 Hackney 3,940 4,480 4,760 4,860 5,650 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,920 4,020 4,530 4,460 5,290 
			 309 Haringey 3,660 3,910 4,440 4,580 5,190 
			 310 Harrow 3,150 3,200 3,600 3,800 4,090 
			 311 Havering 2,690 2,890 3,150 3,260 3,730 
			 312 Hillingdon 2,950 3,070 3,300 3,470 3,930 
			 313 Hounslow 3,160 3,320 3,690 4,190 4,430 
			 206 Islington 3,800 4,240 4,770 4,680 5,600 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 4,540 4,510 4,850 5,010 5,650 
			 314 Kingston-upon-Thames 2,900 2,980 3,280 3,420 3,990 
			 208 Lambeth 4,200 4,660 4,800 4,650 5,170 
			 209 Lewisham 3,710 3,980 4,470 4,230 5,520 
			 315 Merton 3,160 3,300 3,450 4,120 4,320 
			 316 Newham 3,230 3,530 3,870 4,070 4,530 
			 317 Redbridge 2,860 3,090 3,520 3,580 3,960 
			 318 Richmond-upon-Thames 2,950 3,150 3,480 4,100 4,440 
			 210 Southwark 3,880 3,880 4,800 4,670 5,120 
			 319 Sutton 2,830 2,970 3,270 3,430 3,810 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 3,990 4,450 4,990 5,630 5,750 
			 320 Waltham Forest 3,210 3,630 3,870 3,890 4,380 
			 212 Wandsworth 3,600 3,730 4,070 3,550 4,570 
			 213 Westminster 4,200 4,430 4,930 5,230 5,410 
		
	
	(47)The combined LEA and school based expenditure includes all expenditure on the education of children in LEA maintained establishments and pupils educated by the LEA other than in maintained establishments. This includes both school based expenditure and all elements of central LEA expenditure except youth and community and capital expenditure from revenue (CERA). A sector breakdown for combined LEA and school based expenditure is not available in 2002–03 and consequently this table shows the total LEA recurrent expenditure (except youth and community) per pupil by LEA since 1994–95.
	(48)1999–2000 saw a change in data source when the data collection moved from the RO1 form collected by the ODPM to the Section 52 form from the DfES. 2002–03 saw a further break in the time series following the introduction of Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) and the associated restructuring of the outturn tables. The change in sources is shown in italic. In 2002–03 the combined LEA and school based expenditure is calculated by Section 52 Outturn Table A line 51 net current expenditure (NCE) plus line 60 NCE (with adjustments to income to take account of School Standards Grant and Standards Fund scored here) plus lines 61 to 74 NCE. For 2001–02 and earlier years the expenditure is calculated as line 27 NCE after recharges for columns (b) to (f) and (h) plus line 15 from the remaining continuing education column (g, i and j). This is taken from Section 52 Outturn Table 3 for 1999–00 to 2001–02 and from the RO1 form previously.
	(49)Pupil figures include all pre-primary pupils, including those under 5s funded by the LEA and being educated in private settings, pupils educated in maintained mainstream schools and other LEA maintained pupils. The pupil data for pupils attending maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools are taken from the DfES Annual Schools Census. Private voluntary and independent (PVI) under 5 pupil numbers are taken from the Early Years census but are only include for 1999–2000 onwards. For 1995–96 onwards other LEA maintained pupils are included in the pupil count. This includes all pupils attending schools not maintained by the Authority for whom the Authority is paying full tuition fees, or educated otherwise than in schools and pupil referral units under arrangements made by the Authority drawn from the Form 8b submitted to the DfES. Also included as other LEA maintained pupils are all pupils attending pupil referral units who are not registered at a maintained mainstream school drawn from the DfES Annual Schools Census. All pupil numbers are adjusted to be on a financial year basis.
	(50)Spending in 1997–98 reflects the transfer of monies from local government to central Government for the nursery vouchers scheme. These were returned to local government from 1998–99. The 1999–2000 figures reflect the return of GM schools to local authority maintenance.
	(51)In 2002–03 the combined LEA and school based unit cost for England showed a cash terms increase of 5 per cent. compared with a 10 per cent. increase in 2001–02. This is in part due to known misreporting of funding by some LEAs which had the estimated effect of reducing the 2002–03 England unit cost by around £50 per pupil (in cash terms).
	(52)2003–04 remains provisional at this time and is subject to change by LEAs.

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many malicious false alarms were (a) registered and (b) attended by each fire authority in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is as follows:
	(a) The number of malicious false alarm calls processed by fire and rescue service control room staff is not available centrally.
	(b) The number of malicious fire false alarm calls attended by each fire and rescue service in England in each year from 1997–98 to 2003–04 is shown in the following table.
	
		Malicious fire false alarms attended
		
			 Fire and rescue authority 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Avon 1,522 1,415 1,485 1,339 
			 Bedfordshire 491 371 439 383 
			 Berkshire 957 868 1,047 876 
			 Buckinghamshire 752 433 540 454 
			 Cambridgeshire 909 825 612 489 
			 Cheshire 765 592 582 519 
			 Cleveland 3,356 2,585 2,514 1,995 
			 Cornwall 292 319 300 303 
			 Cumbria 617 618 555 562 
			 Derbyshire 1,165 1,008 1,099 865 
			 Devon 1,072 993 886 905 
			 Dorset 625 702 653 480 
			 Durham 1,727 1,412 1,258 1,053 
			 East Sussex 517 492 510 519 
			 Essex 1,825 1,608 1,684 1,778 
			 Gloucestershire 441 385 256 191 
			 Greater London 13,814 12,991 12,638 11,661 
			 Greater Manchester 7,890 6,488 6,547 5,885 
			 Hampshire 653 607 638 719 
			 Hereford and Worcester 498 466 516 438 
			 Hertfordshire 653 521 511 574 
			 Humberside 1,537 1,058 941 988 
			 Isle of Wight 87 118 91 76 
			 Isles of Scilly 2 0 0 0 
			 Kent 1,673 1,522 1,370 1,397 
			 Lancashire 1,652 1,317 1,444 1,357 
			 Leicestershire 1,121 914 882 687 
			 Lincolnshire 453 361 360 317 
			 Merseyside 4,282 3,248 3,632 2,726 
			 Norfolk 316 242 310 305 
			 North Yorkshire 429 389 346 340 
			 Northamptonshire 481 417 438 494 
			 Northumberland 360 300 247 251 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,268 1,017 1,106 862 
			 Oxfordshire(55) 602 589 580 490 
			 Shropshire 308 485 296 255 
			 Somerset 229 247 230 208 
			 South Yorkshire 3,595 3,331 3,172 2,779 
			 Staffordshire 875 863 874 840 
			 Suffolk 444 346 374 366 
			 Surrey 790 587 611 512 
			 Tyne and Wear 2,971 2,490 1,694 1,257 
			 Warwickshire 564 334 259 299 
			 West Midlands 9,216 7,834 8,089 5,233 
			 West Sussex 675 618 569 443 
			 West Yorkshire 7,063 2,961 2,757 2,681 
			 Wiltshire 445 421 544 558 
			  
			 England 81,979 67,708 66,486 57,709 
		
	
	
		
			 Fire and rescue authority 2001–02 2002–03(53) 2003–04(54) 
		
		
			 Avon 1,444 1,529 1,433 
			 Bedfordshire 453 327 362 
			 Berkshire 962 712 625 
			 Buckinghamshire 468 380 356 
			 Cambridgeshire 457 381 360 
			 Cheshire 583 598 578 
			 Cleveland 1,734 1,381 480 
			 Cornwall 241 213 1–71 
			 Cumbria 534 613 286 
			 Derbyshire 767 710 629 
			 Devon 111 720 613 
			 Dorset 468 414 328 
			 Durham 1,089 952 599 
			 East Sussex 564 477 511 
			 Essex 1,991 2,052 1,687 
			 Gloucestershire 151 150 145 
			 Greater London 12,347 10,448 9,858 
			 Greater Manchester 6,262 5,745 5,172 
			 Hampshire 812 794 796 
			 Hereford and Worcester 500 349 350 
			 Hertfordshire 736 607 372 
			 Humberside 973 865 695 
			 Isle of Wight 91 78 59 
			 Isles of Scilly 3 2 0 
			 Kent 1,499 1,312 1,099 
			 Lancashire 1,523 1,390 1,377 
			 Leicestershire 750 641 564 
			 Lincolnshire 400 555 535 
			 Merseyside 2,310 2,305 2,365 
			 Norfolk 304 301 263 
			 North Yorkshire 357 346 321 
			 Northamptonshire 378 423 371 
			 Northumberland 261 245 201 
			 Nottinghamshire 880 799 715 
			 Oxfordshire(55) 412 288 171 
			 Shropshire 320 290 199 
			 Somerset 237 249 237 
			 South Yorkshire 2,873 2,610 2,018 
			 Staffordshire 870 845 629 
			 Suffolk 472 390 342 
			 Surrey 484 411 425 
			 Tyne and Wear 1,261 1,039 987 
			 Warwickshire 196 370 179 
			 West Midlands 5,176 4,385 4,068 
			 West Sussex 388 404 386 
			 West Yorkshire 2,896 2,536 2,321 
			 Wiltshire 199 165 165 
			 
			 England 58,853 52,796 46,403 
		
	
	(53)Data include estimates for incidents not recorded during periods of national industrial action in 2002–03.
	(54)Provisional 2004 data.
	(55)Data for Oxfordshire for 2002–03 onwards are not directly comparable with previous years due to revised procedures in responding to an alarm.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service FDR3 returns to ODPM

Fire Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fires were attended by the Fire and Rescue Service where there was (a) no fire alarm and (b) a non-functioning fire alarm in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of dwelling fires attended by the Fire and Rescue service in England where there was no smoke alarm or a non functioning smoke alarm is as follows:
	
		
			   (a) No smoke alarm (b) Smoke alarm did not operate 
		
		
			 1997–98 41,218 3,819 
			 1998–99 37,931 4,754 
			 1999–00 37,633 5,259 
			 2000–01 33,788 5,655 
			 2001–02 32,824 5,976 
			 2002–03(56) 29,971 5,350 
			 2003–04(57) 27,995 5,535 
		
	
	(56)Includes estimates for 15 strike days.
	(57)Provisional figures.
	Note:
	Figures derived from a grossed up 20 per cent. sample of fires attended.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue service FDR1 returns to ODPM

Fire Service

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 36W, on vehicle fires, if he will break down figures for the number of malicious vehicle fires by each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested for each year since 1997 is contained in the following table.
	
		Deliberate road vehicle primary fires, by fire and rescue service area, 1997–2003
		
			 FRS Area 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Avon 887 1,158 1,669 2,057 2,540 2,233 1,868 
			 Bedfordshire 512 533 727 964 865 987 745 
			 Berkshire 509 561 720 865 944 743 638 
			 Buckinghamshire 562 653 808 890 1,034 885 893 
			 Cambridgeshire 504 537 827 880 813 1,054 978 
			 Cheshire 432 567 619 667 947 1,010 939 
			 Cleveland 571 755 1,125 1,207 1,484 1,737 1,421 
			 Cornwall 178 162 169 237 310 360 364 
			 Cumbria 301 344 372 430 380 418 412 
			 Derbyshire 507 567 805 802 942 1,054 908 
			 Devon 442 462 499 556 614 635 632 
			 Dorset 285 317 401 493 587 536 516 
			 Durham 508 657 732 749 751 843 807 
			 East Sussex 455 520 716 882 919 862 708 
			 Essex 649 724 961 1,559 1,741 1,647 1,556 
			 Gloucestershire 265 256 290 353 464 547 554 
			 Greater London 2,972 3,378 4,945 6,118 6,476 5,580 4,948 
			 Greater Manchester 4,042 4,130 5,166 5,717 7,017 6,050 5,216 
			 Hampshire 526 710 802 839 822 858 827 
			 Hereford and Worcester 299 311 415 465 451 530 431 
			 Hertfordshire 431 466 677 845 886 922 840 
			 Humberside 722 902 1,186 1,092 1,379 1,753 2,098 
			 Isle of Wight 22 10 21 19 49 45 36 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Kent 1,086 1,397 1,864 2,373 2,140 1,962 1,826 
			 Lancashire 821 918 1,229 1,169 1,366 1,440 1,290 
			 Leicestershire 752 819 1,075 1,063 1,168 1,214 941 
			 Lincolnshire 263 364 373 421 474 586 590 
			 Merseyside 1,569 1,838 2,568 3,124 3,476 3,523 3,486 
			 Norfolk 411 436 489 696 738 758 720 
			 North Yorkshire 255 252 384 450 553 594 528 
			 Northamptonshire 550 632 763 941 955 1,075 1,067 
			 Northumberland 271 236 327 309 373 362 395 
			 Nottinghamshire 818 1,062 1,562 1,772 2,671 3,137 2,535 
			 Oxfordshire 373 478 544 686 566 581 564 
			 Shropshire 309 309 315 409 515 418 351 
			 Somerset 226 248 374 411 513 625 502 
			 South Yorkshire 1,562 1,901 2,254 2,125 2,383 3,166 3,137 
			 Staffordshire 653 809 955 968 1,137 1,121 1,128 
			 Suffolk 164 148 222 326 402 391 365 
			 Surrey 329 381 508 636 659 721 703 
			 Tyne and Wear 1,581 1,738 2,068 1,953 2,259 2,316 2,085 
			 Warwickshire 343 397 461 511 569 685 622 
			 West Midlands 3,044 3,110 4,154 4,423 4,834 4,775 4,330 
			 West Sussex 238 291 389 435 538 487 501 
			 West Yorkshire 2,875 3,491 4,169 4,817 6,170 6,684 5,708 
			 Wiltshire 89 159 192 275 305 243 251 
		
	
	Note:
	Data includes estimates for incidents not recorded during periods of national industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.

Fire Service

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if the Government will introduce legislation to provide additional protection from harassment and attack to firefighters responding to emergency calls.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 makes it an offence to obstruct or interfere with an employee of a Fire and Rescue Authority. In addition there is a hierarchy of offences against the person where injury results. This goes from grievous bodily harm through actual bodily harm to common law offences of assault and battery, depending on the injuries inflicted. It is important that such incidents are reported to the police. During the passage of the Act the question of further provision was considered and we were not persuaded that it would assist.

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many hectares of designated green belt land there were in each local authority area, in (a) 1997 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: Data on the extent of designated green belt in each local authority area in England in 1997 and 2003 were published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 16 September 2004. Copies of the publication are available in the Library of the House. The publication is also available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at
	http//www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/documents/page/odpm_plan_031125.hcsp
	The area of green belt has increased by 19,300 hectares in the period 1997 to 2003.

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the number of park and ride sites proposed for development on green belt land since the revision of planning policy guidance 13 in 2001.

Yvette Cooper: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

High Hedges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what estimate the Government have made of the cost to local authorities of implementing the new regulations on high hedges; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the (a) set-up and (b) ongoing costs are to local authorities of the implementation and enforcement of the high hedges provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published the 'Regulatory Impact Assessment: High Hedges—Implementing Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003' on 23 March 2005. It contains estimates of the costs to local authorities of implementing and enforcing the new legislation on high hedges, including set-up and ongoing costs.
	Copies of the Regulatory Impact Assessment are available in the House Library.

Home Condition Reports

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress he has made in ensuring an adequate supply of trained inspectors to meet the requirement of the Housing Act 2004 for home condition reports.

Yvette Cooper: National Occupational Standards for home inspectors have been approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. An awarding body has been approved for the new qualification in home inspection, and four assessment centres have been approved so far to assess courses offered by educational institutions and other organisations. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is assisting recruitment of home inspectors with awareness initiatives aimed at publicising this new career opportunity. A highly successful national conference and trade fair held on 25 November 2004 was attended by between 800 and 1,000 potential home inspectors. Four regional conferences have been well attended, and further regional events are planned. We expect to see the number of trained inspectors rise quickly in the second half of 2005 and during 2006, ready for introducing home information packs in early 2007 and we will work with the industry to this end.

Homebuy

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) minimum and (b) maximum average earnings are for eligibility for social homebuy.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for social homebuy are set out in the consultation document 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own' (a copy of which is available from the Library of the House). Under our proposals, participating social tenants would buy as large a share of their home as they can afford, and would have to be able to afford at least 50 per cent. of the home's discounted value. There would be rigorous and transparent affordability checks to ensure that they can afford to sustain the ongoing obligations the home ownership brings. We have published an assessment of the income that would be required to purchase a 50 per cent. share of a typical starter home under social homebuy in 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own: Supporting Document' (a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, or at the following address on the internet:
	http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_038088.hcsp)

Homebuy

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the proportion of housing associations expected to offer social homebuy to their social tenants.

Yvette Cooper: Social homebuy will be voluntary, with housing associations and local authorities able to choose whether or not to offer the opportunity to their tenants. We are currently consulting on the details of our proposals for social homebuy, as set out in the consultation document 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own' (a copy of which is available from the Library of the House). It is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the proportion of housing associations expected to offer social homebuy at the present time.
	As part of the consultation document a number of housing associations have approached us, expressing interest in piloting the scheme. Discussions on these pilots are currently ongoing.

Homebuy

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the social homebuy scheme will allow social tenants to purchase 100 per cent. of their equity; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Our proposals for social homebuy are set out in the consultation document 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own' (a copy of which is available from the Library of the House). Under them, in most cases, buyers will have the option to purchase further equity shares in 10 per cent. tranches to 100 per cent. ownership.
	In some exceptional cases, for example in particularly high-value areas or small rural settlements where replacing affordable housing would be difficult, buyers may be restricted to purchasing less than 100 per cent. of the property. Buyers would be informed of this restriction at the initial point of purchase.

Homebuy

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the sites designated for social homebuy.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for social homebuy are set out in the consultation document 'HomeBuy—Expanding the Opportunity to Own' (a copy of which is available from the Library of the House). The scheme will be voluntary, with housing associations and local authorities able to choose whether to offer the opportunity to their tenants. The consultation has not yet concluded and therefore it is not possible at the present time to identify which housing associations and local authorities will do so.

Housing

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his most recent estimate is of the number of (a) households and (b) children living in overcrowded housing.

Yvette Cooper: Using data from the Survey of English Housing it is estimated that in 2003–04 in England there were (a) 473,000 households, and (b) 767,000 children under 16 living in households which do not pass the bedroom standard". This represented 2 per cent. of all households and 8 per cent. of all children.

Housing

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in overcrowded accommodation, broken down by (a) region and (b) property tenure; and what the figures were in 1991.

Yvette Cooper: The most recent estimates of the number of households in overcrowded accommodation which fails the bedroom standard", broken down by (a) region and (b) property tenure, are shown in the following tables, alongside equivalent figures for 1991. These figures suggest a significant overall decline in overcrowding between 1991 and 2003–04 of 43 per cent.
	
		Households in England in overcrowded accommodation, by region: 1991 and 2003–04 -- Thousand
		
			 Standard Statistical Region 1991 2003–04 
		
		
			 North 37 22 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 77 31 
			 North West 120 44 
			 East Midlands 53 24 
			 West Midlands 92 51 
			 East Anglia 23 12 
			 London 208 187 
			 South East 154 76 
			 South West 70 26 
			 All regions 834 473 
		
	
	Sources:
	1991 DOE Labour Force Survey Housing Trailer
	2003–04 ODPM Survey of English Housing
	
		Households in England in overcrowded accommodation, by tenure: 1991 and 2003–04 -- Thousand
		
			 Tenure 1991 2003–04 
		
		
			 Owner occupiers 381 198 
			 Social renters 312 180 
			 Private renters 142 95 
			 All tenures 834 473 
		
	
	Sources:
	1991 DOE Labour Force Survey Housing Trailer
	2003–04 ODPM Survey of English Housing

Housing

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he (a) has published and (b) plans to publish to assist local authorities in the discharge of their new licensing functions under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

Yvette Cooper: Advice to local authorities and landlords is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website www.odpm.gov.uk and a number of statutory instruments will be laid before Parliament shortly which will help define the framework within which licensing will operate.
	Discussions are also under way with local government, landlords and other stakeholder organisations on the training required by key staff and on how best to disseminate information about the new arrangements and examples of good practice.

Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses his Department has planned should be built in (a) Essex and (b) London borough of Havering.

Yvette Cooper: Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) makes provision for 5,240 new homes in Essex per annum. The final Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England will be published by the First Secretary of State around the end of 2006.
	In London, housing targets are set by the Mayor of London and the London boroughs. The Mayor's London Plan states that housing provision up to 2006 will be monitored against a minimum target of 23,000 additional homes per year. The target for Havering for the period 1997–2016 is 6,900 additional homes (350 per year.)

Land Stabilisation Programme

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future funding of the Land Stabilisation Programme administered by English Partnerships; and what assessment he has made of the implications of this funding for the programme's ongoing projects, with particular reference to those in Horrabridge and Tavistock, West Devon.

Yvette Cooper: The Land Stabilisation Programme is currently under review and an announcement regarding its future is expected in autumn 2005.
	The English Partnerships' (EP) Business Plan has been set for the four years 2005–06 to 2008–09 and within that an annual allocation has been made for Land Stabilisation Programme funding to continue for projects that have an existing approval or where an approval is currently in the process of being completed. Where a project comes to EP in the future with a sufficiently high risk rating and no other options are available to tackle the problem, a re-evaluation exercise will have to be undertaken to determine how such a project could be accommodated into LSP.
	A report on the investigations into Horrabridge is due to be published in June which will help inform the ongoing discussions with West Devon borough council and the owner.
	Drake Gardens has a higher level of risk placed upon it by the geo-technical consultants acting for the council and West Devon Homes (RSL) with 12 properties are highlighted as being at risk of collapse. West Devon borough council monitoring does not show any progressive movement in any of the houses. The council has applied for LSP funding assessed at £53,000 to complete the site investigations undertaken and paid for so far by the council, two private owners and West Devon Homes. A redevelopment proposal for the 12 properties has been proposed by the council that it is hoped will cover the ground remediation costs and English Partnerships are in discussion with the council regarding this proposal.

Leisure Facilities (Brent)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Audit Commission has made of leisure facilities in Brent.

Phil Woolas: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member and to ensure the answer is made available in the Library the House.
	Letter from Steve Bundred to Sarah Teather, dated 8 June 2005
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has referred your parliamentary question on leisure services in Brent to me for reply.
	The Audit Commission has carried out two inspections in Brent which include leisure facilities. The first, in April 2002, was an inspection of sport and leisure services, which were judged to be poor with poor prospects for improvement. The second, a whole service inspection on culture services was carried out in July 2004. The service inspected consisted of the parks service and sports service which are located within the environment directorate and the library service, heritage service, out of school support service and cultural services which are located within the directorate for education, arts and libraries. Culture services were judged to be good with promising prospects for improvement.
	I am enclosing some more details of the two inspections. It was rather difficult from the PQ wording to work out what sort of information you were looking for, so apologies if this does not fit the bill. If you need further, or just different, information, please do contact me again and we will do all we can to help.
	LB Brent—AC activity with respect to leisure facilities
	We have carried out two inspections at Brent which include leisure facilities. The second inspection by its very nature (a whole service inspection of culture services—July 2004) did not focus solely on leisure facilities.
	April 2002—An inspection of sport and leisure was undertaken at Brent. The service was judged to be poor with poor prospects for improvement.
	The service was judged to be poor because:
	The council at the time did not have clear aims and the service lacked focus and direction
	Some aspects of service delivery to the customer were unacceptable in terms of quality and user focus
	Service and performance data was incomplete and too unreliable to make comparisons.
	The service was judged to have poor prospects for improvement because:
	The service at the time lacked political, financial and managerial commitment and leadership
	Provision of the service was fragmented
	The council's own planning and performance management was weak
	There was no on-going consultation about the service with local community and relationships with local stakeholders are poor
	July 2004—A culture whole service inspection was carried out in July 2004 at Brent. The service inspected consisted of the parks service and sports service which are located within the environment directorate and the library service, heritage service, out of school support service and cultural services which are located within the directorate for education, arts and libraries. Culture services were judged to be good with promising prospects for improvement.
	Key findings from the inspection include:
	Clear links can be demonstrated between the ambition for cultural services' and the ambition for the local area. This has been developed through extensive consultation with local stakeholders;
	projects to improve physical access have now been addressed in light of DDA legislation and the website has been developed as an effective tool to encourage participation;
	all the cultural services can demonstrate outcomes against local priorities and are applying programmes targeted at the needs of local people in this diverse community;
	though not all service areas are delivering to a consistent standard the progress made in sport over the past eighteen months is significant and the quality of service in parks and libraries is strong; and
	A sports strategy entitled, 'A strategy for Sport and Physical activity' has been developed and approved by the Executive.
	However:
	satisfaction ratings in the sports service as measured by MORI are low at 38 per cent;
	while improvements are noted in the sports service, these now need to be sustained in the long term and the pace of improvement maintained; and
	The outcomes and impacts of some local projects are not being measured and it is therefore difficult for the council to demonstrate the added value of such projects.
	Prospects for improvement are promising because:
	clear leadership from councillors and senior mangers is evident and the two directorates which share responsibility for the provision of these services work and communicate effectively together;
	capacity has been increased and performance management systems are in place to support further improvement;
	the directorates have mainstreamed equality and diversity issues into service planning and partnerships have been used to increase capacity and attract resources; and
	The strategic planning framework effectively links cultural priorities with relevant priorities in corporate plans and other directorate plans and these have benefited from external stakeholder engagement. However it is early days in the embedding of this framework and the council needs to keep focussed on ensuring appropriate mechanisms are in place for monitoring and reviewing existing and future plans.
	However:
	With some exceptions, the quality of the building stock is deteriorating. While this is partly related to the age of facilities it does also demonstrate corporate weaknesses in asset management in recent years;
	Improving the infrastructure for cultural services will require significant levels of investment. The challenge of identifying these levels and then putting in a robust framework to attract them has riot yet been tackled; and
	Whilst we found some service operational plans to be of a high standard, some need to be more rigorous in their specification of targets, action, deadlines and the assignment of tasks to staff.

Local Government

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities, including the time of officers, of hosting, preparing for and following up inspections and reviews by bodies for which his Department is responsible in the 2004–05 financial year; what evaluation procedures the Government have to assess the effectiveness of those bodies in bringing about improvement in local government services; and what steps are taken to ensure that the remits of those organisations do not (a) overlap and (b) conflict.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for sponsorship of the Audit Commission, which undertakes inspection of local authority services and inspection by its Housing Inspectorate of registered social landlords. There are no agreed or reliable figures to calculate the indirect costs of inspection to local government (i.e. staff time).

Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 406W, how many representations he has received from local councils advocating (a) local government restructuring and (b) unitary local government subsequent to the result of the north east regional referendum.

Phil Woolas: Since November last year we have received a number of representations from local government covering a range of views from, on the one hand, advocating the establishment of unitary authorities, to others favouring the status quo.

Local Government

David Howarth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list the organisations for which his Department is responsible which (a) inspect, (b) review, (c) train and (d) support local authorities; how much financial support each received from central government funds in the 2004–05 financial year; how much each raised in fees and charges from local authorities in that year; how many staff each employed (i) directly and (ii) as consultants in each year; and what proportion of those staff normally work on-site in local authorities;
	(2)  if he will list the organisations financially supported by his Department in the 2004–05 financial year which (a) inspect, (b) review, (c) train, (d) support and (e) represent local authorities; and how much financial support each received from his Department in that year.

Phil Woolas: A number of bodies which provide services for local authorities are specified by the Secretary of State to receive funding from the Revenue Support Grant. Details of these bodies and their RSG funding for 2004–05 are tabled as follows:
	
		
			  RSG funding 
		
		
			 Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government 21,097,000 
			 Employers' Organisation for Local Government 11,763,000 
			 The Fire Services Examination Board 488,000 
			 The National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales 1,311,000 
			 The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education 694,000 
			 The Local Government International Bureau 1,666,000 
			 The Local Authorities Co-ordinating body on Food and Trading Standards 1,755,000 
			 Public Private Partnerships Programme 2,947,000 
			 National Youth Agency 1,461,000 
			 The Commission for Local Administration in England 11,058,000 
		
	
	In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is responsible for the sponsorship of the Audit Commission, which has a statutory responsibility to regulate the audit of local government and NHS bodies in England, to carry out inspections of best value authorities and to assess the performance of local authorities. These responsibilities extended to Wales for the year ended 31 March 2005.
	In respect of its local Government activities, the Commission received the following financial support from central Government in 2004–05:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 ODPM 18.1 
			 Welsh Assembly Government 1.6 
			 Other 0.4 
			 Total 20.1 
		
	
	ODPM is also responsible for and financially supports other organisations, which are occasionally involved in supporting and representing local authorities' interests. We do not have reliable information on whether these organisations engaged in local authority interests for the 2004–05 period. To gather such information would be at a disproportionate cost.

Local Government

Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new homes are forecast to be built in Hertfordshire in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009, (f) 2010 and (g) 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Hertfordshire structure plan sets an annual average of 3,250 new homes in the period to 2011. The average rate achieved during the period 2001 to 2004 was 3,125. The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the east of England is currently under review and will set out future plans for new homes in Hertfordshire. It is expected that the RSS will be published around the end of 2006.

Local Government Standards Board

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many complaints to the Local Government Standards Board against a councillor in each of the last three years were made (a) by a member of the public, (b) by another councillor, (c) by a councillor from the same political party, (d) by a councillor from another political party, (e) by an officer of a council, (f) by the chief executive of the council and (g) by the monitoring officer of the council, where the monitoring officer is not the chief executive; how many were (i) upheld, (ii) dismissed and (iii) resulted in no penalty being imposed in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The information which can be provided is tabled as follows:
	
		Number of allegations received
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Members of the public
			 Total 1,191 1,680 2,359 
			 Not referred for investigation 862 1,219 1,955 
			 Referred for investigation 329 461 404 
			 
			 Councillors
			 Total 1,277 1,316 1,266 
			 Not referred for investigation 703 841 875 
			 Referred for investigation 574 475 391 
			 
			 Monitoring officers
			 Total 276 45 27 
			 Not referred for investigation 58 9 5 
			 Referred for investigation 218 36 22 
			 
			 Other local authority officers
			 Total 123 84 146 
			 Not referred for investigation 40 54 82 
			 Referred for investigation 83 30 64 
		
	
	The Standards Board does not record information regarding the political affiliation of councillors who have submitted allegations. Its records do not distinguish between allegations submitted by chief executives and other local authority officers or whether there are cases where monitoring officers are also chief executives.
	Information is not available on the detailed outcome of cases in respect of each particular category of complainant.

Local Government Standards Board

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many hours of Standards Board officers' time were spent on the case of Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, broken down by grade of officer; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Standards Board does not record the amount of time spent by staff on any particular investigation.

Mobile Advertising

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to ban mobile advertising hoardings in the countryside.

Yvette Cooper: Outdoor advertisements, such as these, are controlled by local planning authorities under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 and require the express consent of the local planning authority before they can be displayed lawfully.
	It is for the relevant local planning authority to determine whether a particular advertisement should be permitted and the most appropriate course of action to take when an advertisement is displayed in contravention of the regulations.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to write to local authorities shortly, reminding them of their powers to act in these cases.

Mobile Phone Masts

Anne Milton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Government expect to conclude their review of planning regulations for mobile phone masts.

Yvette Cooper: In September last year the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned the University of Reading and Arup to undertake an independent study to assess the impact that the code of best practice on mobile phone network development has had since its introduction. The report will be published in due course. On 4 April I announced the Government will be commissioning further research to identify the future direction of mobile phone technology and the future need for mast developments.

National Spatial Address Infrastructure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he will lead the Government agency with responsibility for the National Spatial Address Infrastructure.

Phil Woolas: The proposed specification and plans to deliver the National Spatial Address Infrastructure are set out in the outline prospectus published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 26 May 2005.
	The proposals state that the new infrastructure will be provided by Ordnance Survey on behalf of the user community under direction of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and there will be a new governance structure that will ensure that interests of stakeholders are protected.
	The main partners, Ordnance Survey and the Local Government Information House (LGIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) have agreed heads of terms for the development process.
	Ordnance Survey, the National Mapping Agency, is a trading fund that reports to Parliament through Ministers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Non-departmental Bodies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list each non-departmental public body, executive agency, quango or taskforce which (a) has regional offices or (b) is based around a Government office region; and what the date of establishment was of each.

Yvette Cooper: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Pensions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he will publish a regulatory impact assessment for his plans to revoke the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004.

Phil Woolas: A final decision to revoke the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 will require the preparation of a regulatory impact assessment which will be published.

Planning Appeals/Policy Guidance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes the Government have made to planning guidance relating to park-and-ride sites since May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Since May 1997, the Government have issued planning policy guidance note (PPG) 13 Transport (March 2001), which covers park-and-ride schemes at paragraphs 59 to 63, and also at annex E provides an amendment to PPG2 Green Belts, adding new paragraphs 3.17–3.20.

Planning Appeals/Policy Guidance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons planning appeal decisions by the planning inspectorate are not accessible to the public via their website; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The planning inspectorate is in the process of rolling out an online appeals service the Planning Casework Service (PCS).
	The PCS is available via the Planning Portal (www.planningportal.gov.uk). It enables people to complete, submit, view, track progress, comment on, and search for appeals online.
	The PCS is being rolled out in stages. It is currently live for access restriction appeals and enforcement appeals and will go live for new planning appeals later this year.

Planning Appeals/Policy Guidance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes the Government have made to planning guidance on (a) the density of residential development, (b) infill development and (c) suburban development, since May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing' was published by the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) in 2000. It introduced a new approach to planning for housing, including guidelines for the density of residential development.
	Other relevant changes to planning policy include 'Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development' and 'Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres', both published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2005, and 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport' published by DETR in 2001.

Planning Appeals/Policy Guidance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what plans the Government have to revise Planning Policy Guidance 3;
	(2)  what plans he has to revise planning guidance relating (a) to the green belt, (b) residential housing development and (c) infill development; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what plans the Government have to amend planning guidance on infill development; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing and Planning on 17 June 2004, Official Report column 45WS, which set out the Government's plans for revising planning policy guidance.
	Since this written statement was made, the Government have published Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing consultation paper entitled 'Planning for Mixed Communities' and have announced the intention that they will consult this summer on an updated approach to planning for the supply of land for housing.

Population Distribution

Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he is taking to encourage population growth away from the east and south-east of England; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government are committed to helping those who wish to live and work in the region where they were born and brought up to do so. That is why it is looking at how it can secure sustainable growth and affordable housing in the wider south-east. Constraining growth in the more prosperous regions would not necessarily benefit other regions. Investment displaced from the wider south-east might well go abroad, or simply not happen.
	Nevertheless the Government do have a range of initiatives in place to encourage growth in other regions. For example, work is under way to implement the proposals that emerged from the Lyons Review of Public Sector Relocation, which reviewed the scope for relocating public sector jobs out of London and the south-east. Departments have confirmed 20,000 jobs for dispersal from London and the south, which should be completed by 2010.
	The Government have a PSA target to improve the economic performance of all the English regions by 2008 and over the long-term reduce the persistent gap in growth rates between the regions, demonstrating progress by 2006. Furthermore, the Government are actively supporting the Regional Development Agencies and their partners in the north, Midlands and south-west in developing inter-regional growth strategies to achieve economic growth in their regions. For example, the Northern Way Growth Strategy which was published in September 2004.

Regional Bodies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the address is of the offices of each (a) regional chamber, (b) regional housing board and (c) regional observatory.

Yvette Cooper: The information is as follows.
	(a) Regional chambers
	East of England Regional Assembly
	Flempton House
	Flempton
	Bury St. Edmunds
	IP28 6EG
	East Midlands Regional Assembly
	Belvoir Suite
	Council Offices
	Nottingham Road
	Melton Mowbray
	LEI3 OVL
	North East Assembly
	The Guildhall
	Quayside
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	NE1 3AF
	North West Regional Assembly
	Wigan Investment Centre
	Waterside Drive
	Wigan
	WN3 5BA
	South East Regional Assembly
	Berkeley House
	Cross Lanes
	Guildford
	GUI 1UN
	South West Regional Assembly
	Dennett House
	11 Middle Street
	Taunton
	Somerset
	TA1 1SH
	West Midlands Regional Assembly
	Regional Partnership Centre
	3rd Floor, Albert House
	Quay Place
	92–93 Edward Street
	Birmingham
	B1 2RA
	Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
	18 King Street
	Wakefield
	West Yorkshire
	WF1 2SQ
	(b) Regional housing boards
	East of England Regional Housing Board
	Eastbrook
	Shaftsbury Road
	Cambridge
	CB2 2DF
	East Midlands Regional Housing Board
	The Belgrave Centre
	Stanley Place
	Talbot Street
	Nottingham
	NG1 5GG
	London Regional Housing Board
	Riverwalk House
	157–161 Millbank
	London
	SW1P 4RR
	North East Regional Housing Board
	Citygate
	Gallowgate
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	NE1 4WH
	North West Regional Housing Board
	City Tower
	Piccadilly Plaza
	Manchester
	M1 4BE
	South East Regional Housing Board
	Bridge House
	1 Walnut Tree Close
	Guildford
	Surrey
	GUI 4GA
	South West Regional Housing Board
	2 Rivergate
	Temple Quay
	Bristol
	BS1 6EH
	West Midlands Regional Housing Board
	5 St. Philips Place
	Colmore Place
	Birmingham
	B3 2PW
	Yorks and the Humber Regional Housing Board
	City House
	New Station Street
	Leeds
	LSI 4US
	(c) Regional observatory
	East of England Observatory
	The Business Centre
	Station Road
	Histon
	Cambridge
	CB4 9LQ
	Intelligence East Midlands
	Regeneration East Midlands
	Unit 8, Provident Works
	Newdigate Street
	Nottingham
	NG7 4FD
	Greater London Observatory
	DMAG
	5th Floor
	City Hall
	The Queen's Walk
	London
	SE1 2AA
	North East Regional Information Partnership (NERIP)
	Stella House
	Goldcrest Way
	Newburn Riverside
	Newcastle-upon-Tyne
	NE15 8NY
	North West Regional Intelligence Unit
	Renaissance House
	PO Box 37
	Centre Park
	Warrington
	Cheshire
	WA1 1XB
	South East England Intelligence Network
	(SEE-iN)
	Berkeley House
	Cross Lanes
	Guildford
	Surrey
	GUI 1VA
	South West Observatory
	East Reach House
	East Reach,
	Taunton
	TA1 SEN
	West Midlands Regional Observatory
	Level LI, Millennium Point
	Curzon Street
	Birmingham
	B4 7XG
	Yorkshire Future
	Victoria House
	2 Victoria Place
	Leeds
	LS11 SAE

Regional Bodies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the powers and responsibilities of the regional housing boards.

Yvette Cooper: Regional Housing Boards meet at the request of Ministers. They are not statutory bodies and therefore have no powers. Each one has been given responsibility for producing its region's Housing Strategy and for making recommendations to Ministers on how resources for housing capital investment should be targeted.

Regional Bodies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timetable for the Government's plans to merge the regional housing boards with regional planning bodies.

Yvette Cooper: We are considering a number of points of detail and will be making an announcement soon.

Right to Buy

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the right to buy for (a) housing association and (b) council house tenants.

Yvette Cooper: The right to buy is available to secure tenants of local authorities and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). In addition, assured tenants of RSLs who have transferred with their homes from local authorities have a preserved right to buy. Around 2.9 million tenants have the right to buy or preserved right to buy.

Right to Buy

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many housing association tenants are eligible for (a) the right to buy, (b) the preserved right to buy, (c) the right to acquire and (d) voluntary purchase grants.

Yvette Cooper: Approximately 65,000 housing association tenants have the Right to Buy.
	Another 930,000 housing association tenants who have transferred with their homes from local authorities have a Preserved Right to Buy.
	A further 146,000 housing association tenants may qualify for the Right to Acquire scheme introduced by the Housing Act 1996 because their homes have been built with public funds since April 1997. Some of the tenants who have transferred from local authorities may also qualify for the Right to Acquire scheme.
	It is not possible to say how many tenants are eligible for Voluntary Purchase Grants. This scheme is offered at the discretion of housing associations, which bid to the Housing Corporation for funds to cover the discount offered to the tenant. Eligibility therefore depends on whether housing associations choose to participate in the scheme, which properties are included, and the availability of funding.

Social Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish figures for the number of households in (a) council housing and (b) housing associations in England in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The numbers of local authority and housing association (registered social landlord) dwellings at 31 March each year since 1997 are tabled as follows:
	
		Units: thousands of dwellings
		
			  Local authority Registered social landlord 
		
		
			 1997 3,401 985 
			 1998 3,309 1,040 
			 1999 3,178 1,146 
			 2000 3,012 1,273 
			 2001 2,812 1,424 
			 2002 2,706 1,467 
			 2003 2,457 1,621 
			 2004 2,335 1,665 
		
	
	Source:
	Local Authority HSSA returns to ODPM; Housing Association RSR returns to Housing Corporation

Solent Gateway

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will state how much (a) greenfield and (b) green belt land there is in the Solent Gateway area.

Yvette Cooper: The Government do not collect statistics on the proportions of greenfield land, and there is no land designated as green belt in the Southampton, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth and Havant areas.

Spatial Strategy (Water)

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what mechanisms the panel established to conduct the examination in public into the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy will use (a) to calculate the amount of water required for each new dwelling, (b) to establish the source for the water of each dwelling, (c) to establish the sustainability of the source of water for each new dwelling and (d) to establish the impact on local rivers, the environment and the biodiversity of the area.

Yvette Cooper: The Environment Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales, and will be presenting evidence to the forthcoming examination in public of the East of England plan.
	The water companies' water resource plans, which must be submitted for periodic scrutiny and review by the Environment Agency, provide the mechanisms for calculating the amount of water required for each new dwelling and the source, or sources, likely to be available. The current plans were rolled forward in 2004, and the Environment Agency published its advice to Ministers in July 2004. The next full review is due in 2009, but plans will be monitored by the agency, and revised and updated by the water companies, on an annual basis.
	The water companies have generally allowed for the level of growth currently planned to 2016; hence the panel's role will be to test whether the water companies' plans have allowed for the additional development proposed in the East of England plan. Where they have not, the panel will wish to be satisfied that, on the evidence presented by the water companies, the Environment Agency and others, it is reasonable to conclude that any forecast increase in demand can be met when it arises.
	The agency has indicated that it intends to make the results of its most recent water resource modelling available to the examination. As part of the testing process, the panel will consider the sustainability of proposals for meeting additional demand and possible environmental impact. From 2008 onwards, this will include considering the links with the river basin plans which the Environment Agency will be producing to implement the Water Framework Directive.

Special Advisers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the names of the special advisers currently employed in his Department.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Joan Hammell, Mick Halloran and Alan Schofield are currently employed as special advisers to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister; Tim Williams is currently employed as special adviser to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Communities and Local Government.

Telephone Boxes

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers his Department has given to local authorities to remove derelict telephone boxes.

Phil Woolas: Outside designated areas, licensed electronic communications code system operators are authorised under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) (as amended by SI 2115/2003) to install public call boxes. Under permitted development rights telecommunications apparatus should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable after it is no longer required for telecommunications purposes. If this is not carried out the local planning authority may serve a breach of condition notice requiring the removal of the equipment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Abortion

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the membership is of the working party established to develop guidance on abortion in Northern Ireland; how many times it has met; and where each meeting was held.

Shaun Woodward: Following the order made by the Court of Appeal on 26 November 2004, a small departmental working group was subsequently established to consider how best we might meet the requirements of the order. The working group comprises the Department's director of family and elderly care, representatives from family policy unit and departmental solicitor's office, chief medical officer, chief nursing officer, a senior medical officer and the head of midwifery at the Royal jubilee maternity service.
	A sub group with the specific remit of developing guidance on abortion has not yet been established.

Academically Gifted Children

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) guidance is issued and (b) research has been undertaken by his Department in relation to educating academically gifted children (i)exclusively with other academically gifted children and (ii) with non-academically gifted children.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education has not issued specific guidance to schools or undertaken research in relation to the education of academically gifted children.

Ards and Down Area Plan

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the status of the Draft Ards and Down Area Plan is following the Judicial Review; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The status of the Draft Ards and Down Area Plan have not altered following the application for a Judicial Review. It remains a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
	Following consideration of the written judgment of the High Court, which clarified a number of important issues, the Department of the Environment has withdrawn the precautionary appeal and has written to the Planning Appeals Commission setting out a framework within which it is anticipated that the public inquiry can proceed.

Ards and Down Area Plan

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the public inquiry into the Draft Ards and Down Area Plan.

Angela Smith: The Department of the Environment has recently written to the Planning Appeals Commission setting out a framework within which it is anticipated that the public inquiry can proceed. We understand that the Planning Appeals Commission is to hold a meeting on 28 June 2005 to consider the timetable for the resumption of the inquiry.

Belfast Regeneration Office

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for NorthernIreland how much has been spent by the Belfast Regeneration Office in each year since its formation.

David Hanson: Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) was formed in 1997–98 financial year. The following table details the amount of money spent by RO (excluding receipts) through its three main funding streams, namely; Action Plan; Making Belfast Work (Area Teams); and Physical, since its formation. It should be noted that the amounts supplied in this table differ from information provided in response to an earlier parliamentary question on 9 March 2005, Official Report, column 1878, on BRO expenditure. I apologise to the hon. Gentleman as this was due to an administrative oversight which resulted in physical expenditure being excluded. It should also be noted that since 2002–03 and the 2003–04 financial years respectively BRO has no longer had responsibility for EU expenditure or Belfast City Centre. This has been a contributory factor to the decline in expenditure recorded against BRO.
	
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 1997–98 25,513,497 
			 1998–99 13,912,247 
			 1999–2000 22,649,589 
			 2000–01 21,079,449 
			 2001–02 18,189,856 
			 2002–03 17,236,077 
			 2003–04 7,899,261 
			 2002–05 5,890,176 
			 2005–06 (to date) 1,178,918

Breast Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The following table details the number of incidences of breast cancer in women in Northern Ireland for the years 1998–2002.
	
		Breast cancer incidences in women in Northern Ireland from 1998–2002
		
			 Year of diagnosis Northern Ireland total 
		
		
			 1998 916 
			 1999 947 
			 2000 966 
			 2001 916 
			 2002 943 
		
	
	This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and is the most up to date currently available.

Bullying

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland were withdrawn from school in each of the past five years because they were victims of bullying.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not collect the information requested. Pupils withdrawn from school because of bullying may be referred to the Education Welfare Service as non-attenders. While information on non-attendance referrals is collected, data on the reason for the poor attendance is not.

Cardiac Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in each health board area are currently awaiting cardiac surgery in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: The number of people, in each health and social services board, who were awaiting admission to hospital in the cardiac surgery specialty, at 31 March 2005, is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Health board of residence Total waiting 
		
		
			 Eastern HSS Board 101 
			 Northern HSS Board 66 
			 Southern HSS Board 54 
			 Western HSS Board 33 
			 Northern Ireland 254 
		
	
	Figures exclude private patients and those resident outside Northern Ireland awaiting treatment in health and personal social services hospitals.

Cardiac Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cardiac operations were performed in the Province in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The number of operations performed in the cardiac surgery specialty in hospitals in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of operations 
		
		
			 2003–04 1,022 
			 2002–03 1,128 
			 2001–02 1,007 
			 2000–01 1,088 
			 1999–2000 1,135

Cardiac Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cardiac operations are scheduled to be performed in the Province in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006.

Shaun Woodward: The Royal Group of Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust is the regional provider of cardiac surgery for the people of Northern Ireland. Currently there are 800 patients expected to receive cardiac surgery at the Royal in 2005–06; each of these patients may require more than one operation. A similar figure has been estimated for 2006–07.

Care Home (Resident Numbers)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his latest estimate is of the number of persons in the Province aged over (a) 65, (b) 75 and (c) 85 years of age resident in (i) residential care homes, (ii) nursing homes and (iii) their own homes and receiving domiciliary care; and what the equivalent figures were (A) five and (B) 10 years ago.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not collected centrally. However, information is available for 2001 from the Northern Ireland Census of Population on the number of people resident in communal establishments including residential homes and nursing homes, and in private households, by age, and is shown in the following table. Comparable figures for 1991 are not available.
	
		
			  Age 
			 Place of Residence 65 and over 75 and over 85 and over 
		
		
			 Residential homes 3,325 2,891 1,573 
			 Nursing homes 6,171 5,382 3,023 
			 Other communal  establishments 3,142 2,400 1,037 
			 Private households 210,687 89,459 17,668 
			 Total 223,325 100,132 23,301

Children in Need

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects that the Children in Need strategy will be published for public consultation.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is currently developing a strategic framework for children, young people and families. Consultation with key stakeholders from both the statutory and voluntary sectors will take place in the next few months at a series of workshops followed by a widespread public consultation in early 2006.

Classroom Assistants

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the job evaluation process for classroom assistants is expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Classroom Assistants are employees of the local Education and Library Boards and issues relating to their terms and conditions of employment are therefore a matter for the Boards as employers. Iunderstand that there are important issues that remain to be resolved between the Boards and Trade Union Side in respect of classroom assistants. I am assured that negotiations remain on-going and that their completion is a priority for all five Boards. In these circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further beyond confirming that funding has already been made available by the Department for arrears linked to this particular job evaluation exercise and is not affected by the current financial position of the Boards.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the current (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for (i) assessment for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and (ii) commencement of CBT in each health board area in the Province is.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not available.

Cold-related Deaths

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths are estimated to have been caused by cold related illnesses in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: Numbers of cold-related deaths are not available, as cold is not recorded as a cause of death in itself. For the period 1997 to 2004 the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland each year where hypothermia 1 was mentioned on the death certificate is given in the following table.
	1 Deaths with a mention of hypothermia defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 991.6 for the years 1997 to 2000 and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code T68.
	
		Deaths registered in Northern Ireland with hypothermia mentioned on the death certificate, 1997 to 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 22 
			 1998 22 
			 1999 12 
			 2000 12 
			 2001 16 
			 2002 14 
			 2003 8 
			 2004 (provisional) 11

Constituency Boundaries

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects hearings arising from responses to the draft recommendations for parliamentary election boundaries in Northern Ireland to take place.

Peter Hain: A public notice and press release were issued by the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland on 14 June announcing that there would be three public Local Inquiries to be held in respect of all 14 parliamentary constituencies affected by the Boundary Commission's Provisional Recommendations published on 6 May 2004. They will begin on 5 September in Belfast, 14 September in Ballymena, and 19 September in Newcastle, Co Down.

Crime Detection Rates

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he defines the clearance of offences for the purposes of determining the success of the Police Service of Northern Ireland crime detection rates.

Shaun Woodward: The PSNI state that a crime is deemed to be cleared when a notifiable offence has been committed and recorded; a suspect has been made aware that they will be recorded as being responsible for the crime; and there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with the crime.
	There are a number of methods of clearance. Those involving a formal sanction are as follows:
	Charging or issuing a summons to an offender
	Issuing a caution to an offender
	Having the crime accepted for consideration in court
	The offender is a juvenile who is dealt with by means of an informed warning or restorative caution.
	Crimes not involving a formal sanction but still regarded as 'cleared' are those where the police take no further action for the following reasons:
	Offender, victim or essential witness is dead or too ill
	Victim refuses or is unable to give evidence
	Offender is under the age of criminal responsibility
	Police or Public Prosecution Service decides that no useful purpose would be served by proceeding
	Time limit of six months for commencing prosecution has been exceeded.

Cross-border Rail Links

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on cross-border rail connections with the Republic of Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The important rail service between Belfast and Dublin has operated for 150 years. The service is currently provided jointly by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnrod Eireann, the Republic of Ireland operator. There are eight journeys in each direction from Monday to Saturday inclusive and five journeys each way on Sundays. Recent engineering works that have caused disruption to services have now been completed. The focus can now be on delivering improved punctuality and reliability.

Dentistry

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS dentists there were in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and what steps he is taking to increase the numbers of dentists in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of health service general dental practitioners registered in Northern Ireland each year since 2001
		
			 As at 1 April each year Headcount 
		
		
			 2005 726 
			 2004 720 
			 2003 696 
			 2002 689 
			 2001 673 
		
	
	The vast majority of dentists are independent contractors and are not directly employed within the health and personal social services.
	In order to facilitate the supply of suitably qualified dentists, the Department funds a one year vocational training (VT) scheme and a two-year general professional training (GPT) scheme. Prior to August 2000 there were 20 VT places, this has been increased to the current level of 24 VT places and four dental trainees in each year of the GPT scheme. This represents an annual total of 28 health service training places for graduate dentists in Northern Ireland.
	The requirements for dentists are monitored through the Department's ongoing workforce planning process.

Digital Hearing Aids

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of introducing a target in Northern Ireland for time from referral of patients to receipt of digital hearing aids.

Shaun Woodward: Digital hearing aids have been provided in Northern Ireland since October 2003. A target of 5,000 digital hearing aids to issue each year was determined at that time. However, that expectation has been exceeded with over 15,000 digital hearing aids issued to date. The latest statistical information has indicated that the majority of those seeking digital hearing aids are seen within three months and that 85 per cent. are seen within six months. The Department is considering how it might extend partnerships with the private sector to further increase the provision of digital hearing aids.

Drugs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many reported incidents of illegal drug use (a) in and (b) outside schools in the Province there were in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many cases of illegal drugs possession by school pupils on school premises occurred in each of the Province's education board areas in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many needle stick injuries resulting from discarded needles on school premises have occurred in the Province in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available. The Department does not require schools to notify it, or the education and library boards, of incidents of illegal drug use, illegal drug possession or needle stick injuries. Schools have a duty in law to notify the police where they believe or suspect a pupil to be in possession of a controlled drug.

Education and Library Board Services

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the change in funding for education and library board services in Northern Ireland is for 2005–06, taking employment, pension, superannuation and other costs outside their budgets into account.

Angela Smith: The delegated budgets for schools funded through the education and library boards under Local Management of Schools arrangements increased by £59 million from £669 million in 2004–05 to £728 million in 2005–06, an increase of almost 9 per cent. Excluding increased superannuation costs for both teaching and non teaching staff and the costs of teachers progressing to point 2 of the upper pay scale, and taking account of falling pupil numbers, the percentage increase is 3.3 per cent. on a like for like basis.
	Education and Library Board non-earmarked centre budgets rose by £19 million from £333 million in 2004–05 to £352 million in 2005–06, an increase of almost 6 per cent. Taking into account the increased costs referred to above, the percentage increase is almost 3 per cent. on a like for like basis.
	Since these allocations were announced, the Government have also made available a further £2.5 million for Education and Library Boards, to support collaborative working across Boards.

Election Procedure

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of people used each of the four approved forms of identification at the general election in Northern Ireland on 5 May.

David Hanson: The number and the proportion of people that used the four approved forms of identification at the general election in Northern Ireland on 5 May that were recorded by polling staff were as follows.
	
		
			  Number Percentage of total 
		
		
			 Driving Licence 342500 51.6 
			 Passport 189872 28.6 
			 Senior SmartPass 74141 11.2 
			 Electoral ID Card 56916 8.6 
			 Total Recorded 663429 — 
			 Total Poll 723768 — 
		
	
	The difference in the total recorded and the total poll is made up of voters who came to the polling station that polling staff did not count and the 24,200 who voted by post.

EU Accession Country Workers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of output-related payments to labour market intermediaries on the delivery of services to (a) ethnic minorities and (b) migrant workers from the EU Accession countries; and what plans he has to review the system.

Angela Smith: The Labour Market Intermediaries exist in three pilot areas of Belfast. They are supported by the Department for Employment and Learning. Job seekers from ethnic minorities and EU Accession countries who are legally entitled to work in Northern Ireland can avail of the services of the LMIs. An assessment of the LMI funding support arrangements, including the element that is output-related, will be undertaken as part of their formal evaluation which is scheduled to begin in September 2005.

Farmers (Loans)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people he expects to benefit from his recent announcement of low interest loans for young farmers in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The new entrants scheme opened for applications on 6 June 2005. While it is difficult to estimate the level of demand, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has a target uptake of 600 young farmers over the next three years.

Forensic Examinations

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to propose changes to the law to enhance the powers of civilian scenes of crime officers in Northern Ireland to carry out a forensic examination on a non-consenting suspect.

Shaun Woodward: There are currently no plans to change the law to enhance the powers of crime scene investigators (CSIs), as they are known within the PSNI, to carry out a forensic examination on a non-consenting suspect. CSIs currently have the power to take non-intimate samples with the written consent from a detained person (unless that person is detained under the Terrorism Act). Provisions are in place to facilitate forensic examinations on non-consenting suspects by constables and forensic medical officers.
	I have been advised by the PSNI that they have recently increased the numbers of police officers trained within the serious crime branch investigation teams, in the process of cartridge discharge residue swabbing. This ensures the facilitation of forensic examination on non-consenting suspects, as required, and allows CSIs to be better utilized by being deployed at the scene of incidents that give rise to the detention of prisoners rather than in the processing of the prisoners themselves.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extra resources are being provided to assist general practitioners in the Province in (a) the appraisal process for and (b) delivering special interest services.

Shaun Woodward: Since the introduction of the appraisal scheme in 2003–04, an additional payment of £300 per annum has been made to each general practitioner being appraised and a further payment of £300 is made to the GP appraiser for each appraisal carried out.
	In relation to general practitioners delivering special interest services, no formal extra central funding is presently made available for this specific purpose, but Health and Social Services Boards do fund a small number of general practitioners for providing certain specialised services although the overall amount is not readily available.

General Practitioners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general practitioner surgeries in the Province have been (a) built and (b) modernised since June 1997.

Shaun Woodward: There are 32 general practitioner surgeries that have been built and 189 general practitioner surgeries have been modernised since 1997. The Eastern health and Social Services Board have only been able to provide information on modernized surgeries from 2001.
	A further 13 surgeries are currently being modernised.
	In addition, all 365 surgeries across the Province have benefited from improvement grants in respect of (a) security and (b) adaptations in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Hare Coursing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications he has received for the netting of hares for hare coursing; and if he will defer any decision on these applications until he has receivedthe results of the survey of Irish hare numbers which the Department of Environment has recently commissioned.

Angela Smith: One application for a licence to net hares for hare coursing in October 205 has been received from the Ballymena Coursing Club.
	My noble Friend, Lord Rooker, will take into account the status of the Irish hare population in considering that application.

Health Care Trusts

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many procedures each health trust in the Province has bought (a) within and (b) outside the Province; and what the resultant costs were in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: Health and social services trusts do not purchase procedures either within or outside Northern Ireland, any transfer of patients is the responsibility of the health and social services boards.

Higher Education Funding

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding for higher education colleges was made available by his Department in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and how much was made available for the North Down and Ards Institute.

Angela Smith: In 1999 responsibility for the funding of the further education colleges in Northern Ireland passed from the education and library boards to the Department for Higher and Further Education Training and Employment, now the Department for Employment and Learning. In the academic years 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04 North Down and Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education received total FE recurrent and capital funding of £6.912 million, £7.869 million, £9.093 million, £10.846 million and £11.72 million respectively. The academic year runs from 1 August until 31 July and therefore the last full academic year for which details are available is year ended 31 July 2004. Detailed in the following table is the total recurrent and capital funding paid to all the further education colleges over the last five academic years.
	
		DEL grants as per college audited accounts -- £000
		
			  Year end 31 July: 
			 College 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Armagh 3,873 3,734 3,986 5,060 5,788 
			 BIFHE 23,111 27,813 28,243 34,785 33,968 
			 Castlereagh 3,275 3,908 4,130 5,840 5,961 
			 Causeway 4,230 4,686 5,202 5,190 6,392 
			 East Antrim 4,808 6,493 7,168 7,972 8,071 
			 East Down 4,441 4,848 5,239 5,826 5,710 
			 East Tyrone 3,780 4,120 3,993 4,337 4,835 
			 Fermanagh 4,247 4,246 4,650 5,888 6,578 
			 Limavady 3,382 4,203 4,399 4,704 5,910 
			 Lisburn 3,961 3,994 5,469 6,199 6,123 
			 Newry and Kilkeel 5,978 6,577 7,892 9,762 10,838 
			 NI Hotel and Catering  College 1,898 1,817 1,974 (58)— — 
			 North Down 6,912 7,869 9,093 10,846 11,720 
			 North East 7,315 8,957 9,655 10,095 11,064 
			 North West 11,822 14,097 16,017 18,138 18,953 
			 Omagh 3,373 3,793 4,306 4,840 4,909 
			 Upper Bann 6,312 7,056 7,555 7,958 9,377 
			 Total 102,718 118,211 128,971 147,440 156,197 
		
	
	(58)Amalgamated with university of Ulster.

Home Teaching

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland are taught at home; and what guidance or assistance is offered to those parents or guardians wishing to teach their children at home.

Angela Smith: On 1 June 2005 the number of children being educated at home in each education and library board is as follows:
	
		
			 Board area Number of pupils 
		
		
			 BELB 5 
			 WELB 28 
			 NEELB 49 
			 SEELB 16 
			 SELB 60 
			 Total 158 
		
	
	A parent seeking advice on educating their child at home will be directed to an appropriate source such as an education and library board or council for the curriculum, examinations and assessment (CCEA).

Hospital Meals

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether patients in Northern Ireland hospitals have been surveyed in 2005 to establish the level of satisfaction with hospital meals.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has conducted a Public Attitudes Survey of the Health and Personal Social Services annually since 2003. Fieldwork for the 2005 survey has recently been completed but results are not yet available. The 2004 survey questioned 1,500 members of the public on their experience of using the Health Service in Northern Ireland. Fourteen percent of all respondents had an overnight stay in hospital during the previous twelve months. Those who had an overnight stay were asked to rate the quality of the hospital food, and for those who expressed an opinion, the results were as follows:
	
		
			 Satisfaction rating of the quality of hospital food Percentage 
		
		
			 Excellent 15.7 
			 Good 36.5 
			 Fair 24.9 
			 Poor 22.8 
		
	
	When the figures are combined this shows that 52.2 per cent. of respondents rated the quality of hospital food as either good or excellent, while 47.8 per cent. rated it as either fair or poor.

Hydebank Prison

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the chief inspector of Criminal Justice and HM chief inspector of prisons following their recent inspection of Hydebank prison.

Shaun Woodward: Following the joint inspection last November, the Northern Ireland Prison Service published its action plan on the Prison Service's website which will be updated quarterly. The action plan responds to each of the 96 recommendations, around one-third of which have been implemented since the publication of the Inspection report on 26 May.
	Two senior managers from HM Prison Service have been seconded to assist in the development of policy for female prisoners and Hydebank Wood has dedicated a NIPS female governor exclusively to Ash House. A policy team whose role will include liaison with female prisoners and consultation with external organisations has also been appointed. Policies will be subject to consultation wherever appropriate.

Identity Cards

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the Government's plan to introduce a national identity card scheme.

Peter Hain: The Association of Chief Police Officers, of which the Chief Constable of the PSNI is a member, has been involved in extensive consultation with the Home Office about the Government's proposal for a national identity card scheme across the UK.

Incapacity/Industrial Injury Benefits

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents in (a) Newtownards, (b) Comber, (c) Dundonald, (d) Carryduff and (e) Killyleagh were in receipt of (i)incapacity benefit and (ii) industrial injury benefits in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Incapacity benefit as at August each year -- Number
		
			 Area 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Newtownards 3,610 3,765 3,777 
			 Comber 396 412 403 
			 Dundonald 109 111 111 
			 Carryduff 236 243 230 
			 Killyleagh 143 132 129 
		
	
	
		Industrial injuries as at August each year -- Number
		
			 Area 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Newtownards n/a 593 623 
			 Comber n/a 77 76 
			 Dundonald n/a 34 34 
			 Carryduff n/a 34 39 
			 Killyleagh n/a 10 13 
		
	
	A geographical breakdown of industrial injuries benefit claimants is unavailable for 2002.

Inter-departmental Group on Personal Care

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who the members are of the inter-departmental group on personal care; and how many times the group has met in each year since its formation.

Shaun Woodward: The membership of the inter-departmental group on personal care convened in September 2001 comprised senior officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Department for Social Development. The inter-development group was supported by a sub-group which brought forward its findings for consideration and agreement by the inter-departmental group.
	The groups met regularly in the course of preparing the report submitted to the Executive on 8 August 2002. The work on costed options has been updated annually following the collapse of the devolved administration.

Libraries

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many libraries he expects will be operational in Northern Ireland in 2006.

David Hanson: My expectation is that there will be 115 branch libraries in 2006. In addition there are 33 mobile libraries.

Libraries

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on the purchase of new books for libraries in each education board area in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The following table sets out details of the amount spent by each of the Education and Library Boards on the purchase of new books in each of the last five years.
	
		£000
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 BELB 445 371 497 125 (59)173 
			 NEELB 336 274 577 342 (59)173 
			 SEELB 490 565 472 266 (59)118 
			 SELB 394 (60)228 334 119 (59)117 
			 WELB 89 262 332 143 (59)176 
		
	
	(59)Information sourced directly from boards, published figures not yet available.
	(60)Figure sourced directly from board, not included in published returns for this year
	Note:
	This information includes monies spent on reference books, adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children's books. It does not cover newspapers, periodicals, magazines or electronic media.
	Source:
	Remainder of figures sourced from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Public Library Statistics Publication.

Libraries

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what regulation his Department carries out of (a) charging levels and (b) practices relating to the delivery of services in public libraries in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: Charging levels for library services are a matter for the Education and Library Boards to determine. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has meetings three times a year with the Chief Librarians and twice a year with other senior officers of the boards at which a range of practice issues, among other matters, are discussed.

Libraries

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the public private partnership arrangement between the Department of Education and Amey plc for the delivery of some library services.

David Hanson: The contract for the Electronic Libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI) project was signed in 2002 by the North Eastern Education and Library Board and Amey BPO Services Ltd., and runs until 2012 under a public-private partnership. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, which has responsibility for the public library service, has no plans to review this arrangement.
	The Department, together with the five Education and Library Boards, monitors the delivery and effectiveness of the project through regular monitoring arrangements.

Life Sentences

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to introduce a statutory framework for life sentence tariffs in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The Government have been considering the responses received from the public consultation carried out in Northern Ireland last year on minimum terms in life sentence cases. A separate consultation on a review of the sentencing framework in Northern Ireland has recently ended. I will now be considering the way forward in light of both consultations.

Listed Buildings (Portstewart)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, excluding legal costs, was in connection with the case pursued by the Department on the demolition of listed buildings at the Diamond in Portstewart during August 2003.

Angela Smith: The cost to the Department of the Environment (excluding legal costs) for the preparation of the prosecution case for the demolition of 9/11 the Diamond, Portstewart was in the region of £8,500.
	In addition to the prosecution case, the Department was also dealing with retrospective applications for planning permission and listed-building consent at the site and also the subsequent appeals. It is not possible to apportion the time spent on each of these as they are all interlinked and the Department does not keep itemised records of staff time spent on each case.

Lock Out Crime Scheme

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the lock out crime scheme in tackling crime in the areas in which it has been in operation; and what plans he has to extend it throughout Northern Ireland;
	(2)  how many people have applied for assistance under the lock out crime scheme since its inception; and how many of these applicants were successful;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the criteria used when assessing applicants to the lock out crime scheme.

David Hanson: The lock out crime scheme aims to provide additional home security in the form of door and window locks, exterior lighting and front door security free of charge to all those in Northern Ireland aged 65 and over, who are in receipt of housing benefit of rate rebate. The scheme is funded by the Northern Ireland Office and delivered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
	There is no application process. The Housing Executive identify all eligible older people and write to each one individually offering the benefits of the scheme. To date 19,500 letters have been issued and 5,526 individuals have returned forms and will be admitted to the scheme. A further 7,500 letters have also been issued on which final information about returns have not yet been compiled. The scheme applies right across Northern Ireland, but has been rolled out on a district council basis. All those eligible aged 75 and over will be contacted by July 2005 and those aged 65 and over by mid 2006.
	The criteria used in the scheme targets those older people in the community least able to afford home security. There are almost 250,000 older people in Northern Ireland and the Government could not offer the free supply and installation of home security measures under the lock out crime (LOC) scheme universally within current resources. I was however pleased to recently announce a reduction in the age criteria for the scheme from 75 to 65.
	There are no plans to carry out a formal evaluation of LOC. Recipients of LOC are asked to complete a satisfaction survey after completion of the work and the NIHE undertake random evaluation from scheme recipients.
	While NIHE do intend to provide information about their findings from this survey it was not possible in the time available from notification about this PQ to provide any meaningful data. However anecdotal and first hand information from recipients clearly indicate that the additional security makes them feel more secure, particularly at night.

Marfan Syndrome

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision there is in the Province for sufferers of Marfan syndrome.

Shaun Woodward: Marfan's syndrome is a rare, but distressing, condition that affects a small number of people in Northern Ireland. Currently, patients suffering from this syndrome are treated by consultants working in the Regional Genetics Centre at Belfast City Hospital and other appropriate specialists, particularly those within the cardiology unit at the Royal Group of hospitals. The specialist clinicians in this area already work quite closely with one another to provide quality care for all patients and their families. They are moving towards closer and more formal links to further improve the care provided to families in terms of screening for genetic abnormalities, counselling and appropriate treatment.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will implement the recommendations of the Appleby Report on the National Service Framework for Mental Health.

Shaun Woodward: The National Service Framework for Mental Health is a vision for mental health in England and Wales. It does not apply to Northern Ireland. At present, mental health services are being considered by the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability chaired by Professor David Bamford.

MRI Scans

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of instituting MRI waiting list initiative schemes throughout Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: There are currently nine MRI scanners in Northern Ireland, with two more planned to come into operation in 2006.
	Health and social services boards in Northern Ireland have in recent years undertaken a range of MRI waiting list initiatives which have contributed to alleviating waiting lists and improving waiting times for MRI scans. These include engaging mobile MRI scanning units, introducing evening scanning sessions and utilising private MRI facilities within Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
	As MRI capacity within the health and personal social services develops, the need for further waiting list initiatives will be kept under review.

Multi-storey Car Parking (Coleraine)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland when he expects multi- storey car parking provision to be made available in Coleraine.

David Hanson: Despite the best endeavours of Roads Service to develop a multi-storey car park on the existing ground level car park in Abbey Street, the legal advice is that the statutory powers vested in the Agency would not be sufficient for the type of development required.
	The powers for development of such lands are vested in the Department for Social Development (DSD) under Article 87 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. The Department for Social Development is considering how best to take forward developments on the Mall and Abbey Street car parks in Coleraine town centre. Subject to the response from the private sector to the development opportunities presented by the sites, it is anticipated that work could begin during 2006.

Neighbourhood Renewal (North Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for NorthernIreland what progress has been made on the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy in North Belfast.

David Hanson: Since the launch of Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy People and Place" in June 2003 by the then Minister for Social Development, (Mr. Spellar), good progress has been made in North Belfast.
	To date 15 organisation's have received funding totalling £923,390 under phases 1 and 2 of the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund with a further 11 organisations currently under consideration.
	Work is also underway to create Neighbourhood Partnerships in each of the four Neighbourhood Renewal Area's namely: Inner City North Belfast; Crumlin/Ardoyne; Upper Ardoyne/Ligoniel; and Rathcoole.
	The Inner City North Belfast Partnership has submitted a Statement of Readiness" to the Department for Social Development and it is expected this will receive approval in the next few days. At that stage the Partnership will commence work in developing the Neighbourhood Vision Framework" and Action Plan" for the Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

Neighbourhood Renewal (North Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on (a) new build housing, (b) urban renewal areas and (c) renovation and repair in the social housing sector in North Belfast in each year since 2001.

David Hanson: The information requested is set out in the following table and shows land and property acquisition costs which are an essential complement to the expenditure on urban renewal areas but not forming part of that expenditure.
	
		£ million
		
			   Urban renewal areas and associated land and property acquisition Renovation and repair 
			  New build social housing Urban renewal areas Land acquisition Property acquisitions Capital improvement Revenue maintenance 
		
		
			 2001–2002 16.0 0.7 1.3 0.6 17.4 6.1 
			 2002–2003 19.2 2.1 1 0.9 3 9 
			 2003–2004 3 1.6 4.8 1.4 0.8 1.8 6.5 
			 2004–2005 27.5 2.5 1.2 1.4 3.4 3. 2

NHS Overseas Staff

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many overseas staff are employed in the NHS in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested.

Parades

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of policing parades for which a form 11/1 was (a) completed and (b) not completed in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The cost of policing each separate parade held in Northern Ireland, whether an 11/1 (application to parade) form is completed or not completed, is not centrally held and is difficult to place an exact figure upon. To obtain such information would involve a manual trawl across records held by 29 District Command Units. This question can therefore only be answered by incurring disproportionate costs.

Patient Waiting Times

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of patients experienced waits of longer than (a) two and (b) four hours in each accident and emergency department in the Province in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not collected in the format requested.

Personal Care (Elderly People)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the introduction of free personal care for the elderly in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The inter-departmental group's report on free personal are was submitted to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on 8 August 2002. Following discussion at the Executive, Ministers asked for further work on costed options to be undertaken.
	The further work was completed but could not be reported back to the Executive because of the suspension of the devolved administration. I have, however, asked officials to bring forward the findings so that I may consider them in the context of other Budget priorities.

Phoenix Natural Gas

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to assess the effect on consumers of the proposed acquisition of Phoenix Natural Gas as part of East Surrey Holdings by Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd.

Angela Smith: The Department has a statutory role in relation to the Phoenix Natural Gas licence in the event of any change of ownership. Specialist consultants have been appointed to assist the Department in its assessment of the proposed Terra Firma transaction. The Department will consider all information relating to the transfer in accordance with its statutory obligation to promote the development of an efficient, economic and co-ordinated gas industry in Northern Ireland.

Police Oversight Commissioner

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of the operation of the office of the Police Oversight Commissioner has been in each year since its formation.

Shaun Woodward: I have been informed by the office of the Police Oversight Commissioner that the operational costs since its establishment are as follows.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 May 2000 to March 2001 404,434 
			 Year ending March:  
			 2002 653,823 
			 2003 785,930 
			 2004 735,175 
			 2005 715,206

Political Parties (Donations)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requirements there are on Northern Ireland political parties to publish information on donations; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Northern Ireland parties are currently exempted from the requirement to comply with part IV of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 that set out the control and disclosure of donations to registered parties. However, the Government have made clear that there should be a move to greater transparency in the political donation requirements in Northern Ireland, and we are currently reflecting on how best to achieve this.
	The main Northern Ireland political parties, like other UK parties, are required to submit an annual statement of accounts to the Electoral Commission, who publish these statements. Parties whose total income or gross expenditure is less than £250,000 are required to submit a statement of accounts within three months of their year end. Those parties that exceed this limit are required to submit their statement of accounts within six months of their year end.

Post-primary Education

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will answer the letter to him dated 11 April from the hon. Member for North Down in relation to the future of post-primary education in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The hon. Lady's letter of 11 April was replied to on 27 April.

Prison Service Efficiency Programme

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for the implementation of the recommendations arising from the review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service Efficiency Programme.

Shaun Woodward: Following publication of an independent review of the Prison Service's Efficiency Programme on 6 June, the Director General announced a strategic programme for the development of the service over the next 10 to 15 years. This wider programme encompasses the existing efficiency work.
	The main plan is due to be prepared before the end of this year. However the full implementation of the plan will take a number of years, depending on various factors including consultation with interested parties and the availability of resources.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total value is of private finance initiative projects in the Province granted approval in each year since 1997, broken down by department.

Angela Smith: The capital values of PFI projects which have been granted approval and a contract awarded are detailed as follows.
	
		
			 Contract awarded/Department Capital value (£ million) 
		
		
			 1997  
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 3.3 
			   
			 1998  
			 Education 3.3 
			 Employment and Learning (61)38 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 22.3 
			   
			 1999  
			 Education 6.5 
			 Employment and Learning 10 
			 Finance and Personnel (61)45 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 3.7 
			 Regional Development 12 
			   
			 2000  
			 Education 28.5 
			 Employment and Learning 20 
			 Social Development l26.5 
			   
			 2001  
			 Education (61)15.9 
			 Environment 14 
			   
			 2002  
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure (61)36.5 
			 Education (61)26.2 
			   
			 2003  
			 Education (61)126.2 
			 Employment and Learning 32 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 42 
			   
			 2004  
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure 3 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment (62)53 
			   
			 2005  
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 15.7 
		
	
	(61)These figures relate to the estimated costs for the provision of Information Technology Systems and services over the life of the contracts rather than capital values.
	(62)This figure relates to the estimated costs of a contract for the provision of office accommodation services for a period of 25 years rather than the capital value.

Pupil Expulsions

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils were (a) suspended and (b) expelled from schools in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in the last three years for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows.
	
		(a) Number of pupils suspended in each education and library board
		
			  BELB WELB NEELB SEELB SELB Total 
		
		
			 2001–02 1,277 882 1,107 919 914 5,099 
			 2002–03 1,014 906 1,201 992 1,169 5,282 
			 2003–04 1,191 936 1,286 987 1,085 5,485 
		
	
	
		(b) Number of pupils expelled in each education and library board area
		
			  BELB WELB NEELB SEELB SELB Total 
		
		
			 2001–02 7 16 18 12 23 76 
			 2002–03 18 12 17 16 7 70 
			 2003–04 6 12 15 12 26 71

Racist Attacks

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many racist attacks have occurred in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland over the last three years; and what steps have been taken by the agencies to combat such attacks.

Shaun Woodward: The statistics are not available in the format requested as the Police Service of Northern Ireland record statistics by District Command Unit rather than by parliamentary constituency. These statistics are set out in the following table:
	
		Number of racial incidents(63)—2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			 District command unit 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05(64) 
		
		
			 Urban region
			 North Belfast 16 27 76 
			 South Belfast 58 147 159 
			 East Belfast 11 32 54 
			 West Belfast 0 11 13 
			 Castlereagh 8 10 12 
			 North Down 17 18 19 
			 Newtownabbey 18 18 15 
			 Antrim 0 4 23 
			 Carrickfergus 2 4 21 
			 Lisburn 6 16 28 
			 Lame 5 2 0 
			 Ards 0 0 25 
			 Total for Region 141 289 445 
			 
			 Rural region
			 Ballymena 6 37 52 
			 Ballymoney 2 3 8 
			 Coleraine 3 7 22 
			 Limavady 1 2 7 
			 Foyle 5 12 40 
			 Moyle 1 0 1 
			 Magherafelt 0 1 9 
			 Strabane 0 0 3 
			 Omagh 2 2 6 
			 Fermanagh 2 5 18 
			 Armagh 4 14 14 
			 Banbridge 0 2 1 
			 Craigavon 35 31 79 
			 Cookstown 14 11 16 
			 Down 1 5 8 
			 Newry and Mourne 2 11 15 
			 Dungannon and South Tyrone 7 21 69 
			 Total for Region 85 164 368 
			 Overall Total 226 453 813 
		
	
	(63)Racial incidents include murder, physical assault, verbal abuse/threat, attack on home, attack on property, graffiti and written material.
	(64)Not directly comparable with earlier years.
	A new method of recording these figures was introduced in 2004–05. The statistics issued by the Chief Constable are now aligned with Home Office practice and as a result the figures for 2004–05 are not directly comparable with the figures for 2002–03 and 2003–04.
	PSNI believe the rise in figures to be due to an increase in racially motivated offences, improved confidence in the PSNI amongst minority ethnic communities and improved recording systems.
	The Government are currently taking steps to tackle the issue of racially motivated incidents. The Criminal Justice (No2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 has already been introduced. This directs the courts to take account during sentencing of any offence where there is evidence of hostility based on, among other things, race, and it increases the maximum sentences available for certain specified, mainly violent offences including where racial aggravation is proven.
	The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investing considerable time and effort in addressing race crime. Recent initiatives include the introduction of an on-line reporting system on the PSNI website as part of the Hate Crime is Wrong" campaign. minority liaison officers have been appointed in each District Command Unit. Their role is to record and monitor racially motivated and other types of hate crime in their area, advise and support victims of such crime, and work in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to address these issues. The PSNI has also introduced targeted patrolling in areas where people are deemed to be at greatest risk of attack and are working in partnership with other agencies to develop solution to the problem.
	The PSNI is determined to investigate fully all hate related incidents and where possible to secure sufficient evidence to prosecute offenders.

Rates Reform

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the proposals for domestic rates reform will be revenue-neutral.

Angela Smith: Yes. The level of annual rates increases will be considered in the course of the Budget process.

Rates Reform

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for reform of domestic rates.

Angela Smith: The reforms of the domestic rating system in Northern Ireland will be introduced in April 2007.

Recorded Crime (North Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many crimes have been recorded in (a) North Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since 1997; in how many cases there was a detection; in how many cases proceedings were commenced; and in how many cases convictions were secured.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has provided the following statistics in relation to the number of crimes recorded and cleared by the police since 2000: Unfortunately PSNI Statistics Branch does not hold information prior to this date.
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 (a) North Belfast District Command Unit  
			 Crimes recorded 10,029 12,605 12,137 9,698 8,637 
			 Crimes cleared by method of clearance:  
			 Charge/summons 1,133 667 1,032 939 1,032 
			 Adult caution/informed warning 192 77 129 83 68 
			 Taken into consideration by the court 26 1 6 1 11 
			 Juvenile restorative caution/informed warning 108 55 113 55 41 
			 Offender under age 20 8 10 18 11 
			 Complainant declined to prosecute 628 378 557 796 573 
			 DCU Commander/DPP/PPS direct no prosecution 120 58 31 29 20 
			 Otherwise disposed of 18 21 21 21 13 
			 Total crimes cleared 2,245 1,265 1,899 1,942 1,769 
			   
			 (b) Northern Ireland  
			 Crimes recorded 119,912 139,786 142,496 127,953 118,124 
			 Crimes cleared by method of clearance:  
			 Charge/summons 13,052 11,808 13,896 14,375 14,631 
			 Adult caution/informed warning 2,795 2,079 2,393 2,227 2,206 
			 Taken into consideration by the court 1,151 439 612 534 457 
			 Juvenile restorative caution/informed warning 1,927 1,427 1,554 1,427 1,421 
			 Offender under age 245 219 177 169 211 
			 Complainant declined to prosecute 10,874 10,140 12,051 14,361 12,230 
			 DCU Commander /DPP/PPS direct no prosecution 2,232 1,652 1,438 1,542 1,788 
			 Otherwise disposed of 246 378 685 458 400 
			 Total crimes cleared 32,522 28,142 32,806 35,093 33,344 
		
	
	Statistics relating to prosecution and convictions are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Prosecutions Convictions 
			  Northern Ireland North Belfast Northern Ireland North Belfast 
		
		
			 1997 35,599 1,566 30,964 1,422 
			 1998 31,127 1,296 26,880 1,136 
			 1999 30,439 1,166 26,524 1,057 
			 2000 30,492 — 26,618 — 
			 2001 28,563 — 24,350 — 
			 2002 28,044 — 24,100 — 
			 2003 30,937 — 26,675 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures above are based on the principal offence rule so only the most serious offence for which a person is proceeded against is included.
	2.From 2000, prosecutions data are drawn from the PSNI Integrated Crime Information System, which only records the District Command Unit to which an offender's address relates. Figures are not therefore available for proceedings stemming from crimes reported to North Belfast after 1999.
	3.Information is not yet available for prosecutions and convictions made after 2003.

Roads and Street Works Legislation

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will subject the roads and water services, along with private developers and utility companies, to an independent regulator to ensure full compliance with the terms of roads and street works legislation in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 is the Northern Ireland equivalent of GB legislation, designed to regulate the opening and reinstatement of public roads by utilities. Also, any private developer placing or retaining apparatus in the street must have a street works licence and comply with the requirements of the Street Works Order. This regime is regulated and enforced by Roads Service. I believe this regulation is effective, and there is no need for an additional regulator. Water Service aims to comply fully with the terms of the order; however, as it is an agency of the Crown it cannot currently be prosecuted as other utilities. This will change when Water Service becomes a Government owned company. In the interim, any offences by Water Service, which would be prosecutable under the legislation, will be recorded in a register along with the remedial actions agreed with Roads Service.
	Works for roads purposes, on the other hand, is specifically excluded from the Street Works Order. This is the same as the position in the rest of the UK, where in no instance is the work of highway authorities covered by the street works legislation, nor is it subject to independent regulation.
	The safety of the work operations themselves is subject to the Health and Safety legislation, which is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. This would apply to promote safe working practices, such as avoiding underground pipes or cables being damaged. All of the parties you mention are treated equally under this legislation.
	Roads Service is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of the road infrastructure to keep it safe, effective and reliable and to preserve the value of the asset. With utilities making over 45,000 openings each year I am sure that you will appreciate it is important that Roads Service retains enforcement responsibilities for Street Works in respect of the various agencies working there.
	I can confirm there are no plans for Roads Service to relinquish this authority by introducing an independent regulator.

School Crossing Patrols

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of whether there will be an effect on child safety of the recent decision of the south eastern education and library board to cut school crossing patrol services within its catchment area.

Angela Smith: Education and library boards apply nationally agreed guidelines to assess the level of risk before reaching decisions on the future provision of specific school crossing patrols. The assessed risk is based on factors such as sight-lines, volume and type of traffic, width of road, availability of footpaths, central refuges/pedestrian crossings/traffic signals, etc. Boards decisions are, therefore, based on ensuring that the safety of pupils is not jeopardised.

Special Needs Children

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the longest time was that a special needs child waited to be statemented within each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The majority of statutory assessments are completed and formal statements of special educational needs made within 18 weeks from the date of request, in line with the Education (NI) Order 1996 and the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs 1998. However, in some circumstances delays occur for a range of reasons related to the specific case, including levels of parental co-operation with the required process.
	The longest times taken from receipt of request to the making of the formal statements are:
	
		
			  Length of time taken from receipt of request 
		
		
			 BELB 11 years 
			 NEELB 41 weeks 
			 SEELB 2 years 
			 SELB 27 months 
			 WELB 64.5 weeks

Speed Cameras

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much revenue was generated by speed cameras in each police district command unit area in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available; and how much of this money was spent on road safety initiatives.

Shaun Woodward: The revenue generated by speed cameras in each police district command unit area is as detailed in the following table. All such fine revenue is paid into the UK consolidated fund. The unique nature of how the PSNI is funded means that the PSNI currently only recovers costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the N.I. Safety Camera scheme. As such, none of the revenue generated by the scheme is returned to PSNI for the express purpose of funding road safety initiatives at present.
	
		
			 DCU area Number of notices paid Total fines (£60 per notice) 
		
		
			 PSNI rural region   
			 Armagh DCU 85 5,100 
			 Ballymena DCU 134 8,040 
			 Ballymoney DCU 21 1,260 
			 Banbridge DCU 779 46,740 
			 Coleraine DCU 84 5,040 
			 Cookstown DCU 46 2,760 
			 Craigavon DCU 323 19,380 
			 Down DCU 281 16,680 
			 Dungannon DCU 153 9,180 
			 Fermanagh DCU 77 4,620 
			 Foyle DCU 445 26,700 
			 Limavady DCU 17 1,020 
			 Magherafelt DCU 130 7,800 
			 Moyle DCU 31 1,860 
			 Newry and Mourne DCU 1,114 66,840 
			 Omagh DCU 260 15,600 
			 Strabane DCU 1 60 
			 (unknown DCU area) 2 120 
			   
			 PSNI urban region   
			 Antrim DCU 72 4,320 
			 Belfast East DCU 1,979 118,740 
			 Belfast North DCU 931 55,860 
			 Belfast South DCU 212 12,720 
			 Belfast West DCU 469 28,140 
			 Carrickfergus DCU 65 3,900 
			 Castlereagh DCU 2,964 161,640 
			 Lisburn DCU 5 300 
			 Newtownabbey DCU 6 360 
			 Newtownards DCU 50 3,000 
			 North Down DCU 1,274 76,440

Suicide

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths by suicide were recorded in each health trust area in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The following table gives the number of deaths in Northern Ireland of residents of each health and social services trust area for the years 2000 to 2004, where the cause of death was recorded as either 'suicide and self-inflicted injury' 1 or 'undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted' 2 .
	1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes X60-X84, Y87.0 for years 2001–04 and Ninth Revision codes E950-E959 for 2000.
	2 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes Y10-Y34, Y87.2 for years 2001–04 and Ninth Revision codes E980-E989 for 2000.
	
		Number of deaths in Northern Ireland of residents of each health and social services board and trust area by year due to 'suicide and self-inflicted injury' or 'undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted'
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004(65) 2000–04(65) 
		
		
			 Eastern health and social services board 90 69 71 59 61 350 
			 Down Lisburn 18 17 15 20 12 82 
			 North and West Belfast 31 17 21 20 22 111 
			 South and East Belfast 22 17 16 12 14 81 
			 Ulster Community 19 18 19 7 13 76 
			
			 Northern health and social services board 38 31 47 33 26 175 
			 Causeway 7 6 8 9 5 35 
			 Homefirst 31 25 39 24 21 140 
			
			 Southern health and social services board 27 33 35 30 30 155 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 1 7 10 4 7 29 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 11 19 13 19 14 76 
			 Newry and Mourne 15 7 12 7 9 50 
			
			 Western health and social services board 30 25 30 22 28 135 
			 Foyle 17 8 18 16 17 76 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 13 17 12 6 11 59 
			
			 Northern Ireland 185 158 183 144 145 815 
		
	
	(65)Data for 2004 is provisional

Suicide

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a regional strategy for the prevention of suicides in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Promoting Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan, launched in January 2003 includes a specific section on preventing suicide. Following the recommendation of the Strategy Implementation Group we have recently established a small group to consider the actions in the strategy relating to suicide prevention. This group has been tasked to make recommendations by the end of October 2005 on what further measures need to be put in place to address the issue.

Surgical Site Infections

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether occurrences of surgical site infections are (a) reported and (b) recorded in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance Centre (HISC) leads on surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI). HISC assists acute trusts in Northern Ireland in undertaking health care associated infection (HCAI) surveillance. A regional surveillance programme for surgical site infection in elective orthopaedics is in place which makes it mandatory for all hospitals in Northern Ireland performing adult elective orthopaedic surgery to provide data on HCAI to HISC. Data can be accessed via website: www.hisc.n-i.nhs.uk. The Royal Jubilee Maternity Unit has piloted post-discharge surveillance of caesarean section site infection. This will be reported on and a regional approach determined.
	The 'Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) In Northern Ireland' is scheduled to be issued for formal public consultation at the end of June 2005. Included in the strategy are a number of recommendations aimed to further develop comprehensive HCAI surveillance programmes in acute trusts in Northern Ireland.

Traffic Calming (Strangford)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful requests for traffic calming measures are awaiting action by the Department of Regional Developments Roads Service section within the Strangford constituency; what the average time between approval and completion of work was in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mrs Iris Robinson, dated 14 June 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question:
	how many successful requests for traffic calming measures are awaiting action by the Department of Regional Development's Roads Service section within the Strangford constituency; what the average time between approval and completion of work was in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement."
	I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	As you will be aware, the Strangford Constituency incorporates parts of both our Eastern and Southern Divisions. The schemes currently listed for the 2005/06 and 2006/07 years are as follows:
	
		Schemes currently listed
		
			  
		
		
			 2005–06  
			 Scrabo Estate (N'ards) Ready to commence construction 
			 Railway St (Comber) Currently dealing with objections 
			 Portaferry (approach to town) Consultation began 20 May 2005 
			 Saintfield (approach to town) Consultation began 13 June 2005 
			 Killynure Road (Carryduff) At design stage 
			 Moneyrea Village At design stage 
			 Gransha Road (Dundonald) At design stage 
			 2006–07  
			 Movilla St (N'ards) Programmed 
			 Killinchy (approach to village) Programmed 
			 Parsonage Rd (Kircubbin) Programmed 
			 Old Ballygowan Rd (Comber) Programmed 
			 Downpatrick Rd Crossgar Programmed 
		
	
	(No schemes have been listed for our Eastern Divisional area for 06/07 year as their traffic calming programme has yet to be finalised.)
	The time between approval of a scheme and completion of the work may vary from two months to one year depending on the consultation process and the contractor's workload and logistics, but an average timescale would normally be six months. However, I should point out that schemes completed in the 2004/05 financial year in the Strangford constituency averaged 8 months due to a problem with the supply of signs that has since been resolved.

Video Identification

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the use of video identification in place of identity parades in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland plans to introduce the Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording (VIPER) system in Northern Ireland later this year.
	The Government see considerable merit in the use of video identification technology, which has already proved very successful in England and Wales. It will significantly enhance the effectiveness of the current identification procedures and remove many of the operational difficulties experienced by the PSNI in arranging live identification parades. Its introduction in Northern Ireland will benefit all those involved in the Criminal Justice system, including the Police Service, the Prosecution Service, the legal profession, suspects and witnesses.
	My officials have therefore been working closely with police colleagues on arrangements which will facilitate the early introduction of the new system.

Water Services

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to identify which households in Northern Ireland are not connected to mains water or sewerage.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Katharine Bryan to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 17 June 2005
	You recently asked a Parliamentary Question asking what steps are being taken to identify which households in Northern Ireland are not connected to mains water or sewerage (5741). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	Around 99% of households are connected to the public water supply and around 83% are served by public sewers. We do not currently hold comprehensive records of all households connected to mains water or sewerage services and are therefore not aware of the details of those households not connected. Water Service applies a system of reasonable cost allowance to determine whether applications for new first time services can be fully met at public expense.
	However, in preparation for the proposed introduction of domestic charging a comprehensive Customer Database is being developed. This process includes liaison with other government agencies and available data is matched with our water and sewerage infrastructure records. This is a significant task and we are going to considerable lengths to ensure maximum accuracy in the data which will be required to support future customer services.

Water Services

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to improve water quality at the Northern Ireland beaches where water quality failed to meet the mandatory European Community standard.

Angela Smith: In 2004, 14 of the 16 (87.5 per cent.) identified bathing waters met the mandatory standards of the Directive, however, those at Castlerock and Ballyholme failed to comply.
	The failure to meet mandatory standards was due mainly to the wet weather during the summer period Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between bathing water compliance levels and the frequency and intensity of rainfall during the bathing season. Heavier rainfall leads to an increase in the number of spills from combined sewer overflows and an increase in agricultural run-off.
	To address the sewerage problems, Water Service has commenced construction of a new wastewater treatment works to serve the North Coast. It is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2007. The works will treat all wastewater from Portrush, Portstewart, Coleraine, Castlerock and Articlave. This should result in an overall improvement in the bathing water quality in the North Coast area.
	Water Service plans to construct a new wastewater treatment works at Donaghadee to treat the wastewater from Bangor, Donaghadee and Millisle. The project is schedule for completion in December 2007. In addition, a number of Drainage Area Studies in the North Down area, have been completed and have identified approximately £13 million of networks improvements. Major programmes of work to implement the necessary improvements will be implemented on a phased basis from 2006. Completion of this investment will result in an overall improvement in the bathing water quality in the area.
	Action is also being taken to control diffuse pollution from agricultural sources through the imminent introduction of an action programme under the EC Nitrates Directive.

Water Services

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether health and safety procedures at water service installations have been reviewed since the fatal accident at Carnmoney, County Londonderry on 2 June.

Shaun Woodward: Firstly I would like to take this further opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Stevenson, who so tragically lost his life in the accident at Carmoney.
	Following the events of 2 June, an independent inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive (NI) is under way. Water Service is liaising closely with them as their investigation proceeds and will, of course, take immediate action to implement any actions, should they be recommended as a result of this investigation.
	In the meantime, Water Service has completed a precautionary inspection at all other 18 similar installations across Northern Ireland, which are essential for the maintenance of drinking water quality and is satisfied that the health and safety procedures are robust. I am assured that it is safe for the installations to continue operating.

Working Time Directive

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken to penalise health service bodies who remain non-compliant with the European Working Time Directive, as applied in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Health and Personal Social Services employers would be liable under Health and Safety Legislation if they breach the European Working Time Directive requirements. This liability may take the form of financial penalties. The Department has been working with Health and Personal Social Services employers to ensure that they do all they can to avoid being subject to penalties.